Automatic disc-changing apparatus, disc-chucking apparatus, disc apparatus and position-detecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automatic disc-changing apparatus for selectively transporting cartridge holders from a standby position to a recording and reproducing position, or from a recording and reproducing position to a standby position. The cartridge holders are capable of accommodating a plurality of cartridges containing discs to record information thereon and thereby transport any single cartridge. The automatic disc-changing apparatus comprises a plurality of cartridge holders for holding the cartridges; a standby-holding mechanism for holding the cartridge holder in the standby position; a transport-holding mechanism for selectively engaging with the cartridge holder for transport; a transfer mechanism for moving the transport-holding mechanism horizontally to the front and rear of the apparatus; and an elevator mechanism for raising and lowering the transport-holding mechanism. This apparatus is compact, simple in configuration and convenient to use.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/103,908filed on Aug. 10, 1993, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a recording and reproducing apparatuscapable of accepting a plurality of cartridges each containing arecording medium in the form of disc, wherein there is a compactautomatic disc-changing apparatus capable of freely changing thecartridge that is loaded onto the turntable.

The present invention further relates to a recording and reproducingapparatus using an audio, video or other recording medium in the form ofdisc, wherein there is a disc-chucking apparatus for holding the discstationary in the recording and reproducing apparatus.

The present invention further relates a position-detecting apparatusapplied to sensing the operating mode of the mechanism in a recordingand reproducing apparatus for audio or video discs, video tape, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 88 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure and operation of aconventional automatic disc-changing apparatus as disclosed, forexample, in Japanese Patent Kokai Publication 36365/1984 (Shown59-36365). The significance of the symbols used in FIG. 88 is as givenin FIG. 98.

In FIG. 98, "fixed" refers to a state in which two members do not movewith relation each other, "engaged" refers to a state in which twomembers are mounted with an interrelationship between them (the twomembers are not fixed), "immovable" refers to a state in which themember is fixed with respect to chassis; and "butt contact" refers to astate in which the end of one member is touching against another member.

As is shown in FIG. 88, a conventional automatic disc-changing apparatushas as its principle constituents a player 1 supported on a chassis 5; amagazine rack 3 that accommodates compact discs resting on support pans28; an elevator 2 that is capable of vertical travel along guide rails14a, 14b and 14c and accommodates the magazine rack 3; and a carrier 4mounted at the rear place of the player 1 and the elevator 2 (the upperleft-hand portion in FIG. 88) but in this figure shown in the upperportion and causing movement of the compact discs in the magazine rack3, together with support pan 28.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 88 moves in the following manner. The userfirst places compact discs on a plurality of support pans 28 (of whichonly one is shown in the figure), inserts the support pans 28 into ashelf-like structure 27 in the magazine rack 3, and inserts the magazinerack 3 into the elevator 2.

Then, by causing a rotating shaft 57 of a motor 56 to rotate, rollers 54and 55, over which a belt 58 has been passed, also rotate, therebyrotating screw rods 52 and 53 which are fixed to them, and raising anelevating frame 8 which has threaded holes 50 and 51, into which therods 52 and 53 screw. At this time the upper edge 8a of the elevatingframe 8 makes butt contact with an arm 9a supporting a pressure ring 9,causing the pressure ring 9 to move upward. Simultaneously with thisaction, the elevator 2 is caused to ascend or descend by a winder 15,which is driven by the rotation of a motor 15a, by means of which asuspension cord 18, from which the elevator 2 is suspended by asuspension ring 17, is wound in or out, thereby transporting the supportpan 28 carrying the desired compact disc to above the player 1.

Next a solenoid 36 is activated, moving an actuator plate 34 towards theelevator 2 (toward the lower right in the figure) against thecompressive force of a tension spring 35. If a rotating shaft 48 of amotor 47 is rotated under these conditions, pulleys 45 and 46, overwhich a belt 49 has been passed, rotates, thereby transmitting drivingpower to drive wheels 43 and 44 by means of idlers 41 and 42, whichprovides a pressure contact with the pulleys 45 and 46. The support pan28 is brought into pressure contact to the drive wheels 43 and 44 and ismoved from the magazine rack 2 to the elevating frame 8 of the player 1.In the elevating frame 8, the support pan 28 is transported along guidegrooves 11 and 12, after which the motor 56 is activated lowering theelevating frame 8 and placing the compact disc on turntable 6. At thistime the pressure ring 9 is also lowered, holding the compact disc ontop of turntable 6. Optical pickup 7 is then moved to the player 1, uponwhich the compact disc rests, where it reads information from the discand sends the information read to the reproducing circuit (not shown).

After completion of the performance, the motor 56 is activated raisingthe elevating frame 8 and the pressure ring 9, and the carrier 4 isactivated to return the support pan 28 to its previous location in themagazine 3.

Again, FIG. 89 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram showing aconventional disc-chucking apparatus as disclosed, for example, inJapanese Utility Model Kokai Publication No. 193560/1986 (Showa61-193560). FIG. 90 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram showing thisconventional disc-chucking apparatus with a disc resting thereon, inwhich a reference numeral 1021 designates the base of the apparatus;1022 a spindle fixed to the base 1021; 1023 a disc that is the mediumfor recording a video, audio or other signal and has at its center aclamping plate 1042 formed from a soft magnetic material; 1031 acartridge accommodating a disc 1023; 1024 a support piece, whichpositions the disc 1023 in the vertical direction; 1025 a centeringpiece that acts to position the disc 1023 in the radial direction; 1026a guide piece having an inclined portion for guiding the centering piece1025 when the disc 1023 is to be loaded into the apparatus; 1027 achucking magnet, having either the single magnetic domain structureshown in FIG. 91 or the striped magnetic domain structure shown in FIG.92, for attracting the disc 1023 into intimate contact with the supportpiece 1024; 1028 a turntable comprising the support piece 1024, thecentering piece 1025, the guide piece 1026 and the chucking magnet 1027;1029 a bearing supporting turntable 1028 in its rotation around spindle1022; and 1030 a motor to drive the turntable 1028 in its rotation.

The motor 1030 is held stationary on the base 1021 and is provided witha core 1062 wound with a coil that is not shown, a rotor 1063 thatrotates together with turntable 1028, and a magnet 1064 fixed to therotor 1063.

FIG. 93 is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a disc loadingand unloading apparatus for a recording and reproducing apparatus usinga disc-chucking apparatus, in which a reference numeral 1032 designatesa holder holding the cartridge 1031; 1033 a pivot constituting thecenter of rotation of the holder 1032; 1034 a spring to make the holder1032 rotate in the clockwise direction; 1035 a engagement portionprovided on the holder 1032; 1036 a hook; 1037 a pivot constituting thecenter of rotation of the hook 1036; 1038 a spring to apply pressure torotate the hook 1036 in the counterclockwise direction; 1039 apositioning pin to act as a positioning member for the cartridge 1031;1040 a holding member to press and hold the cartridge 1031 provided onthe holder 1032 against the recording and reproducing apparatus; 1041 aspring for the same; and 1043 a disc loading apparatus comprising thecomponents listed above.

Following is a description of the operation. The disc 1023 is loadedinto the recording and reproducing apparatus by disc loading apparatus1043. Referring to FIG. 93, if the cartridge 1031 is inserted in theholder 1032 and the holder 1032 is pressed downwards, the hook 1036 isengaged with engagement portion 1035 of the holder 1032, keeping itstationary with respect to the recording and reproducing apparatus.Meanwhile the cartridge 1031 is pressed and held against the positioningpiece 1039 of the base 1021 by the pressure piece 1040. At this time,the disc 1023 is guided by the guide piece 1026 of the turntable 1028,and its position is determined by the centering piece 1025 and thesupport piece 1024 so that it is separated from the support piece insidecartridge 1031, and the clamping plate 1042 is attracted by the chuckingmagnet 1027 so that it is fixed to the turntable 1028. The turntable1028 is then driven in a rotary manner by the motor 1030 and the signalis recorded or reproduced by means of a magnetic head or optical head.

FIG. 94 is a plan view showing the structure of a conventionalposition-detecting apparatus as disclosed, for example, in JapanesePatent Kokai Publication No. 32246/1986 (Showa 61-32246), in which areference numeral 1354 designates a motor; 1371 a worm gear held withrespect to the rotating shaft of the motor 1354; and 1351 a slidercapable of moving in the directions indicated by arrows 1351A and 1351B.A reference numeral 1353 designates a contact gear having contacts 1391(FIG. 96) on the reverse surface; and 1370 a position-detecting circuitboard having an arcuate pattern 1392 (FIG. 95) of the obverse surface. Areference numeral 1372 designates a transmission gear train that engageswith worm gear 1371 and transmits driving power from the motor 1354;1380 a drive gear that engages transmission gear train 1372 and drivescontact gear 1353; and 1356 a drive gear that engages with the contactgear 1353 to drive the slider 1351. A reference numeral 1375 designatesthe spindle of the drive gear 1380; 1352 the spindle of the contactgear; and 1387 the spindle of the drive gear 1356.

FIG. 95 is a plan view showing an arcuate pattern 1392 on aposition-detecting circuit board 1370 of the conventionalposition-detecting apparatus, in which a reference numeral 1392designates the arcuate pattern for position detection; 1393 a commonelectrode; and 1394, 1395 and 1396 detection electrodes.

FIG. 96 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram showing the contact gearof the conventional position-detecting apparatus, and FIG. 97 is a viewtaken along a line S97--S97 in FIG. 96, in which a reference numeral1391 designates position-detecting contacts.

Following is a description of the operation. The rotational drivingpower of the motor 1354 is transmitted from the worm gear 1371 throughtransmission gear train 1372 to the drive gear 1380 to drive contactgear 1353. The drive gear 1356 is also driven rotationally by thecontact gear 1353 to drive the slider 1351. The stopping point for theslider 1351 is detected when the contacts 1391 on the reverse surface ofthe contact gear 1353 come into friction contact with the arcuatepattern 1392 on the top of the position-detecting circuit board 1370 sothat a current path is established between common electrode 1393 and oneor two of detection electrodes 1394, 1395 and 1396, thereby providingthe prescribed signal output.

However, a problem with the conventional automatic disc-changingapparatus shown in FIG. 88 is that the drive mechanism that impartsvertical motion to the elevating frame, the drive mechanism that impartsvertical motion to the elevator, and the drive mechanism, whichtransports the support pan on which the compact disc rests areindividually provided with motors, and a solenoid is specially providedto provide pressure contact of the carrier pulley against the supportpan, so that the structure is complicated and the cost of the apparatusis high.

An additional problem is that when the support pan is transported fromthe magazine rack to the player, vertical motion is imparted to theelevator, in which the support pans are stacked in the height direction,but since the moving elevator is of great volume (or its heightdimension is large), the apparatus is too large to be installed inautomobiles.

A further problem is that replacing the compact discs in the magazinerack requires a two-step procedure in which the magazine rack is firstremoved from the elevator and the support pans in the magazine rack arethen withdrawn, making it inconvenient to use.

In the conventional disc-chucking apparatus shown in FIG. 89 throughFIG. 93, the disc 1023 is attracted by the chucking magnet 1027, whichis fixed to the turntable 1028. For this reason, in removing the disc1023 from the turntable 1028, the hook 1036 is rotated clockwise as seenin FIG. 93 either manually or by a motor or other actuator to releaseengagement portion 1035.

When this occurs, the holder 1032 leaps upward due to the action ofspring 1034. At this point the holder 1032 must pull the disc 1023upward against the attractive force of the chucking magnet 1027,requiring that the spring force of the spring 1034 be greater than thesum of the attractive force of the chucking magnet 1027 and the weightsof the cartridge 1031 and the holder 1032. This results in a problem inthat any increase in the attractive force of the chucking magnet 1027requires an increase in the force required to load the holder 1032 intothe apparatus, adversely affecting the operational feel. Further if theattractive force of the chucking magnet 1027 is too small, a problemarises in that the force holding the disc 1023 to the turntable 1028 isreduced, so that when the apparatus is acted upon by vibration or otherexternal disturbance, disc 1023 is easily separated from turntable 1028,rendering the accurate reading of the signals difficult.

Another problem with the conventional disc-chucking apparatus is thatturntable 1028 is supported on a spindle 1022, which is fixed to base1021, so that when the apparatus is acted upon by vibration or otherexternal disturbance, vibration is transmitted to the turntable 1028 andapplied to the disc 1023, rendering the accurate reading of the signalsdifficult.

Another problem with the conventional disc-chucking apparatus is that itrequires two magnets: a magnet 1064, which is used in the motor 1030 forthe rotating of the turntable 1028, and a chucking magnet 1027 forattracting and holding the disc 1023, with the result that the number ofcomponents is increased and costs rise.

Another problem with the conventional disc-chucking apparatus is that itrequires two holding members: rotor 1063 for holding magnet 1064 of themotor 1030, and the turntable 1028 for holding the chucking magnet 1027,with the result that the number of components is increased and costsrise.

Yet another problem with the conventional disc-chucking apparatus isthat it requires a great deal of force to remove the the clamping plate1042 that is attracted to the chucking magnet 1027 from the apparatus.

Again, in the conventional position-detecting apparatus shown in FIG. 94through FIG. 97, is that the stopping point is detected when contacts1391 on the reverse surface of the contact gear 1353 come into frictioncontact with the arcuate pattern 1392 on the top of position-detectingcircuit board 1370 so that a current path is established between commonelectrode 1393 and one or two of detection electrodes 1394, 1395 and1396. This raises a problem of reliability, in that there is a danger offaults occurring due to wear or corrosion of contacts 1391 or arcuatepattern 1392.

Further, letting P be the number of position detection points and n bethe requisite number of contacts (including common contacts), therequisite number of contacts n may be found by rounding up m, wherein

    m=log.sub.2 (P+2)

In general the number of the detection points P is two, at the beginningand at the end, so that the minimum number of contacts n required istwo. Also contacts 1391 must be arranged along the radius of the contactgear 1353. This raises a problem in terms of the compactness of theapparatus, in that the contact gear 1353 is enlarged in the radialdirection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automaticdisc-changing apparatus that is inexpensive, compact and convenient touse.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide adisc-chucking apparatus that offers secure attraction and holding of thedisc to the turntable, without sacrificing the operational feel of theapparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a discapparatus in which the vibration of the base will not easily be appliedto the disc.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a discapparatus that has fewer components and is lower in cost.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide aposition-detecting apparatus in which compactness can be easily achievedeven if the number of operational modes is increased.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an automaticdisc-changing apparatus, capable of selectively transporting a cartridgeaccommodating a disc-type information recording and reproducing medium,either from a standby position at which can be loaded a plurality ofsuch cartridges to a recording and reproducing position above a playerdiffering in vertical and horizontal position from the standby position,or from the recording and reproducing position to the standby position,comprising: a plurality of cartridge holders for holding each of thecartridges; a holding mechanism for standby, for holding the pluralityof cartridge holders in the standby position; a holding mechanism fortransport, for selectively holding one of the cartridge holders; atransfer mechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in thehorizontal direction; and an elevator mechanism for moving the holdingmechanism for transport in the vertical direction.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided theautomatic disc-changing apparatus described above, wherein the elevatormechanism comprises a first motor; a first slide cam for mowinghorizontally between the standby position and the recording andreproducing position; a first motion-transmitting mechanism for causingthe first slide cam to move horizontally due to rotational driving powerof the first motor; and an elevating base for being engaged with thefirst slide cam and moving vertically in linkage with horizontal motionof the first slide cam; and wherein a pair of the first slide cams isarranged in parallel with each other and one of the pair of the firstslide cam is arranged on either side of the player; each of the firstslide cams comprises a vertical plane portion and a flange portionprojecting horizontally from the vertical plane portion, in which theflange portions are provided with elongated slots in the direction atright angles to the direction of motion of the first slide cams; thefirst motion-transmitting mechanism comprises a loading lever thatreceives rotary driving power from the first motor and rotates around avertical shaft; and engaging pins implanted at either end of the loadinglever is engaged, respectively, with the elongated slots in the flanges;and the apparatus further comprising a clamping lever for clamping thecartridge to the player; and a second slide cam for moving horizontallyin a direction at right angles to the direction of motion of thetransfer mechanism in response to the rotation of the loading lever.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anautomatic disc-changing apparatus, capable of selectively transporting acartridge accommodating a disc-type information recording andreproducing medium, either from a standby position at which can beloaded a plurality of such cartridges to a recording and reproducingposition above a player differing in vertical and horizontal positionfrom the standby position, or from the recording and reproducingposition to the standby position, comprising: a plurality of cartridgeholders For holding each of the cartridges; a holding mechanism forstandby, for holding the plurality of cartridge holders in the standbyposition; a holding mechanism for transport, for selectively holding oneof the cartridge holders; a transfer mechanism for moving the holdingmechanism for transport in the horizontal direction; and an elevatormechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the verticaldirection, wherein the elevating mechanism comprises a third motor; apantograph mechanism; a cam mechanism which activates the pantographmechanism in response to rotary motion of the third motor.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anautomatic disc-changing apparatus, capable of selectively transporting acartridge accommodating a disc-type information recording andreproducing medium, either from a standby position at which can beloaded a plurality of such cartridges to a recording and reproducingposition above a player differing in vertical and horizontal positionfrom the standby position, or from the recording and reproducingposition to the standby position, comprising: a plurality of cartridgeholders for holding each of the cartridges; a holding mechanism forstandby, for holding the plurality of cartridge holders in the standbyposition; a holding mechanism for transport, for selectively holding oneof the cartridge holders; a transfer mechanism for moving the holdingmechanism for transport in the horizontal direction; and an elevatormechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the verticaldirection; and the automatic disc-changing apparatus further comprisinga duplicate insertion prevention plate which is rotatable around ahorizontal shaft at the top of each of the insertion ports, and which isapproximately horizontal and in butt contact with an upper surface ofthe cartridge holder when the cartridge holder is loaded into theholding mechanism for standby, but approximately vertical when thecartridge holder has been separated by means of the transfer mechanismfrom the holding mechanism for standby; and a regulating member which isfixed further into depths of the apparatus, when the regulating memberestablishes butt contact with the duplicate insertion prevention plate,the range of motion of the duplicate insertion prevention plate isregulated.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anautomatic disc-changing apparatus, capable of selectively transporting acartridge accommodating a disc-type information recording andreproducing medium, either from a standby position at which can beloaded a plurality of such cartridges to a recording and reproducingposition above a player differing in vertical and horizontal positionfrom the standby position, or from the recording and reproducingposition to the standby position, comprising: a plurality of cartridgeholders for holding each of the cartridges; a holding mechanism forstandby, for holding the plurality of cartridge holders in the standbyposition; a holding mechanism for transport, for selectively holding oneof the cartridge holders; a transfer mechanism for moving the holdingmechanism for transport in the horizontal direction; an elevatormechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the verticaldirection; a display for displaying contents information recorded on thedisc-type information recording medium; audio signal storage circuitryfor storing audio signal information on the disc-type informationrecording medium being reproduced; and control circuit such that when,during reproduction, a new cartridge is loaded into another cartridgeholder, the cartridge being reproduced is temporarily returned to thestandby position and at the same time the audio signal information ofthe cartridge is continuously reproduced by means of the audio signalinformation stored in the audio signal storage circuitry; the newcartridge is transported to the recording and reproducing position andthe contents information on the disc-shaped information recording mediumof the new cartridge is read and displayed on the display; the newcartridge is then returned to the standby position; the cartridge firstbeing reproduced is placed to the recording and reproducing position andcontinuously reproduced.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided adisc-chucking apparatus, in which a disc-type recording medium is heldto a rotatable turntable of a disc apparatus for recording andreproducing a signal, using light or magnetism with respect to a dischaving at its center a soft magnetic material, comprising: means forapplying magnetic attractive force to the clamping plate; and means forcontrolling the magnetic attractive force.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetismcomprising: a disc-chucking mechanism for holding a disc to a rotatableturntable; a spindle rotatably for supporting the turntable; and aresilient body for applying a prescribed pressing force to the spindlein an axial direction of the spindle.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism for holding a dischaving a clamping plate to a rotatable turntable; and a magneticmaterial provided between a magnet of a motor for driving the turntableand the disc clamping plate, and permeable to the magnetic flux of themagnet of the motor.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism for holding a disc to arotatable turntable; and a magnet forming at least a part of theturntable; wherein the turntable has a first surface for holding thedisc and a second surface on the opposite side; a magnetized surface ofthe magnet is provided on the second surface of the turntable, and anexcitation coil is disposed oppositely to the magnetized surface, sothat the turntable is used as the magnet forming part of a drive motorand as the disc clamping magnet.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a rotatable spindle; a turntable secured to thespindle and holding a disc; and a vibration-damping material interposedbetween the chassis and the spindle.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a rotatable turntable having a first surfaceholding the disc and a second surface on the opposite side; and anexcitation coil; wherein a part of the turntable is magnetized, and themagnetized surface is formed on the side of the second surface; and theexcitation coil is disposed oppositely to the magnetized surface of theturntable, and the turntable can be floated by the application ofcurrent to the excitation coil.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a turntable supported rotatably with respect to abase, with a first surface for holding the disc and a second surface onthe opposite side, and in part magnetized and the magnetized surface isformed on the side of the second surface; a drive motor for driving theturntable, which has a magnet and a core and has a magnetic gap betweenthe magnet and the core near periphery of the motor, and in which aspindle of the motor and a spindle of the turntable are in common; andan excitation coil disposed oppositely to the magnetized surface of theturntable mounted on a base; and wherein the magnet and the coil of thedrive motor are so disposed that their center heights are offset in theheight direction; and height of the turntable is positioned byenergizing the excitation coil to achieve an equilibrium between therepulsive force of the magnetized turntable and the excitation coil, andthe attractive force between the core and the magnet.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a mechanism for transporting discs or cartridgesaccommodating discs; a turntable supported rotatably and slidably in theaxial direction with respect to a base, having a first surface holdingthe disc and a second surface on the opposite side, and in partmagnetized with the magnetized surface formed on the side of the secondsurface; an excitation coil mounted on a base and disposed oppositely tothe magnetized surface of the turntable; a control circuit forcontrolling the movement of the turntable in the axial direction and thedrive of the cartridge transport mechanism, and controlling theenergization of the excitation coil in linkage with the operation of thetransport mechanism.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a turntable supported rotatably and slidably inthe axial direction with respect to a base, having a first surface forholding the disc and a second surface on the opposite side, and in partmagnetized with the magnetized surface formed on the side of the secondsurface; an excitation coil mounted on a base and disposed oppositely tothe magnetized surface of the turntable; a drive circuit for driving afocus actuator: and a detector for detecting the focusing error of anoptical pickup; and a control circuit for controlling the energizationof the excitation coil in accordance with the output of the detector andmoving the turntable in the axial direction by means of the magneticforce between the excitation coil coil and the magnetized turntable.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a turntable supported rotatably with respect to abase, having a first surface holding the disc and a second surface onthe opposite side; a magnetic material forming a part of the turntable;an excitation coil mounted on a base; a first magnet forming part of theturntable with one magnetized surface positioned on the side of thefirst surface of the turntable and the other magnetized surface coupledto the magnetic material; and a second magnet with one magnetizedsurface coupled with the magnetic material and the other magnetizedsurface disposed oppositely to the excitation coil; wherein the firstmagnet attracts a clamping plate provided on the disc; the second magnetforms part of constitutes of a motor that rotationally drives theturntable along with the coil; and the turntable is formed by outsertmolding a centering portion and a flange that position the disc on themagnet material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided adisc-chucking apparatus for a disc apparatus for recording andreproducing signals using light or magnetism, for holding a disc to arotatable turntable, comprising screw threads formed in a disc-clampingmagnet clamping a disc-clamping plate and the turntable, thereby causingheight of the disc-clamping magnet with respect to the turntable to bechanged.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a chassis; a base for holding a disc to arotatable turntable and supporting the turntable; and a plurality ofsuspension means for suspending the base to the chassis; wherein each ofthe suspension means consists of a combination of a magnet and a coilwhich are mounted at one end to the base and at the other end to thechassis, each being capable of supporting a load in a differentdirection.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism for holding a dischaving a clamping plate to a rotatable turntable by magnetic attractiveforce; a release coil that is mounted on a holder for recording andreproducing heads mounted on a chassis, that generates a magnetic fluxat a position oppositely disposed to the disc clamping plate, and thatcancels or weakens the magnetic attractive force of the disc-chuckingapparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism for holding a dischaving a clamping plate to a rotatable turntable by magnetic attractiveforce; a holder mounted rotatably around an axis parallel to therecording surface of the disc; a recording head that is mounted to oneend of the holder and, as the holder rotates, approaches toward orrecedes from the recording surface of the disc; and a release magnetthat is mounted on the other end of the holder and, as the recordinghead approaches toward or recedes from the recording surface of thedisc, recedes from or approaches toward the disc clamping plate.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a discapparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light ormagnetism, comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism that holds a dischaving a clamping plate to a rotatable turntable by magnetic attractiveforce; a transfer member having a magnet or a coil, which causes themagnet or coil to approach toward or recede from the clamping plate; anda drive mechanism that, by means of the rotation of the holder on whichthe recording head is mounted, causes the recording head to approachtoward or recede from the recording surface of the disc, while at thesame time causing the magnet or coil to approach toward or recede fromthe clamping plate.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided aposition-detecting apparatus for detecting the operational mode of adrive transmitting mechanism that performs prescribed operations drivenby a motor or other drive source, comprising: a moving member forming apart of the drive transmitting mechanism and moving together with themotion of the drive transmitting mechanism; a light-reflecting portiondisposed along the direction of movement of the moving member; alight-transmitting portion disposed along the direction of movement ofthe moving member; a photoemitter disposed in such a way that when, dueto the movement of the moving portion, the reflecting and transmittingportions come to a position facing it, irradiates them with light; afirst photodetector disposed in such a way that it receives that part ofthe light emitted by the photoemitter that is reflected by thelight-reflecting portion; a second photodetector disposed in such a waythat it receives that part of the light emitted by the photoemitter thatis transmitted by the light-transmitting portion; and means fordetecting the position of the moving member on the basis of the outputof the photodetector.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided aposition-detecting apparatus for detecting the operational mode of adrive transmitting mechanism that performs prescribed operations drivenby a motor or other drive source, comprising: a moving member that formspart of the drive transmitting mechanism and moves together with themotion of the drive transmitting mechanism; a first light-reflectingportion having a first polarizing sheet which is disposed along thedirection of movement of the moving member; a second light-reflectingportion having a second polarizing sheet which is disposed along thedirection of movement of the moving member; a photoemitter disposed insuch a way that when, due to the movement of the moving portion, thefirst and second reflecting portions come to a position facing it,irradiates them with light; a first photodetector having on itsphotodetecting portion a third polarizing sheet and disposed in such away that it receives that part of the light emitted by the photoemitterthat is reflected by the first and second light-reflecting portion; asecond photodetector having on its photodetecting portion a fourthpolarizing sheet and disposed in such a way that it receives that partof the light emitted by the photoemitter that is reflected by the firstand second light-reflecting portion; means by which the direction ofpolarization of the first polarizing sheet and the second polarizingsheet differ by approximately 90°, the direction of polarization of thethird polarizing sheet and the fourth polarizing sheet differ byapproximately 90° and the direction of polarization of the firstpolarizing sheet and the third polarizing sheet are approximately thesame; and means that detects the position of the moving member on thebasis of the output of the first and second photodetectors,

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided aposition-detecting apparatus for detecting the operational mode of adrive transmitting mechanism that performs prescribed operations drivenby a motor or other drive source, comprising: a moving member that formspart of the drive transmitting mechanism and moves together with themotion of the drive transmitting mechanism; a light-reflecting portiondisposed along the direction of movement of the moving member; aphotoemitter disposed in such a way that when, due to the movement ofthe moving portion, the reflecting portion comes to a position facingit, irradiates it with light; a magnetic portion disposed on the movingmember; a photodetector disposed in such a way that it receives thatpart of the light emitted by the photoemitter that is reflected by thelight-reflecting portion; a magnetic detection element disposed so as todetect the position of the magnetic portion; and means for detecting theposition of the moving member on the basis of the output of thephotodetector and magnetic detection element.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided aposition-detecting apparatus for detecting the operational mode of adrive transmission mechanism that performs prescribed operations drivenby a motor or other drive source, comprising: a moving member that formspart of the drive transmitting mechanism and moves together with themotion of the drive transmitting mechanism; a first light-transmittingportion passing light through a first polarizing sheet and a secondlight-transmitting portion passing light through a second polarizingsheet that are disposed along the direction of movement of the movingmember; a photoemitter disposed in such a way that when, due to themovement of the moving portion, the first and second light-transmittingportions come to a position facing it, irradiates them with light; afirst photodetector having on its photodetecting portion a thirdpolarizing sheet and disposed in such a way that it receives that partof the light emitted by the photoemitter that is transmitted through thefirst and second light-transmitting portions; a second photodetectorhaving on its photodetecting portion a fourth polarizing sheet anddisposed in such a way that it receives that part of the light emittedby the photoemitter that is transmitted through the first and secondlight-transmitting portions; means by which the direction ofpolarization of the first polarizing sheet and the second polarizingsheet differ by approximately 90°, the direction of polarization of thethird polarizing sheet and the fourth polarizing sheet differ byapproximately 90° and the direction of polarization of the firstpolarizing sheet and the third polarizing sheet are approximately thesame; and means for detecting the position of the moving member on thebasis of the output of the first and second photodetectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the automaticdisc-changing apparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention,taken along a line IV--IV in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus taken along a line I--I in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus taken along a line II--II in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along aline III--III in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the transfermechanism of FIG. 1

FIGS. 6A to 6E are descriptive diagrams for the purpose of describingthe operation of the transfer mechanism of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a descriptive diagram for the purpose of describing themechanism for detecting the angle of rotation of the loading gear thatforms a part of constitutes of the transfer mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing theoperation of the elevating mechanism of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing theoperation of the transfer mechanism and the holding mechanism fortransport, which holds one of cartridge holders.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the structure of the cartridgeclamping mechanism of the automatic disc-changing apparatus of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line V--V inFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line VI--VI inFIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing theoperation of the clamping mechanism shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing themechanism that drives the floating arm shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of a player from the fixedcondition until it reaches the floating condition.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the insertion and ejection mechanism for thecartridge.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of the insertion and ejection mechanismof FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a simplified vertical cross-sectional view as seen from thedirection cut by line VII--VII in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the apparatus with a cartridge inserted.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of anautomatic disc-changing apparatus of the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing the mechanism that holdsthe cartridge holder of the apparatus shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing thestructure and operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 20.

FIGS. 23 to 26 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describing theoperation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure and operation ofthe cartridge holder.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describingthe structure and operation of the holding mechanism for transport usedto transport and hold the cartridge holder.

FIGS. 30 to 33 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describing theoperation of an elevating mechanism of this second embodiment.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describingthe operation of an example of a mechanism to prevent double insertionof cartridges.

FIGS. 36 and 37 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describingthe structure and operation of a cartridge ejection mechanism.

FIG. 38 is a schematic plan view showing the structure of the automaticdisc-changing apparatus of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 38 as seen fromoutside chassis.

FIG. 40 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 38 with chassisremoved.

FIG. 41 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 38 with chassisand the slide cam removed.

FIGS. 42 to 45 are descriptive diagrams for the purpose of describingthe operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 38.

FIGS. 46 and 47 are side views of the clamping mechanism that forms apart of the third embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing theoperation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing the structure of the automaticdisc-changing apparatus of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a front view an example of a display on the display panel ofthe apparatus shown in FIG. 49.

FIG. 51 is a flow chart for the purpose of describing the operation ofthe apparatus shown in FIG. 49.

FIG. 52 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of adisc-chucking apparatus of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a disc-chuckingapparatus of the fifth embodiment when a disc, which is the signalrecording medium, is chucked in it.

FIG. 54 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc-chuckingapparatus of the fifth embodiment when a disc has been released from it.

FIG. 55 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc-chucking apparatus of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 56 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of adisc-chucking apparatus of a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 57 is a descriptive diagram showing the magnetic flux in adisc-chucking apparatus of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 58 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc-chuckingapparatus of an eighth embodiment when a disc is chucked in it.

FIG. 59 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc-chuckingapparatus of a ninth embodiment when a disc has been released from it.

FIG. 60 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc-chucking apparatus of the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 61 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the disc apparatus of atenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 62 is a graph plotting data measured for a disc apparatus of thetenth embodiment, when the base was vibrated with the compressive forceof the leaf spring set to 80 g!.

FIG. 63 is a graph plotting data measured for a disc apparatus of thetenth embodiment, when the base was vibrated with the compressive forceof the leaf spring set to 130 g!.

FIG. 64 is a plan view showing the turntable of the disc apparatus of aneleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 65 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line S65--S65in FIG. 64.

FIG. 66 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus ofa twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 67 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus ofa thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 68 is a schematic plan view of the disc apparatus of the thirteenthembodiment.

FIG. 69 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus ofa fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 70 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus ofa fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 71 is a block diagram showing the disc apparatus of a sixteenthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 72 is a block diagram showing the disc apparatus of a seventeenthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 73 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc apparatus of an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 74 is a plan view showing the turntable of the disc apparatus ofthis eighteenth embodiment.

FIG. 75 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc-chucking apparatus of a nineteenth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 76 is a side view of the structure of the disc apparatus of atwentieth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 77 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc apparatus of a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 78 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc apparatus of a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 79 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the discapparatus of a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 80 is a perspective diagram showing the structure of aposition-detecting apparatus of a twenty-fourth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 81 is a diagram showing the position-detecting operation of thetwenty-fourth embodiment.

FIG. 82 is a perspective diagram showing the structure of theposition-detecting apparatus of a twenty-fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 83 is a diagram showing the position-detecting operation of thetwenty-fifth embodiment.

FIG. 84 is a perspective view showing the structure of theposition-detecting apparatus of a twenty-sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 85 is a diagram showing the position-detecting operation of atwenty-seventh embodiment {of the present invention}.

FIG. 86 is a perspective view showing the structure of theposition-detecting apparatus of a twenty-eighth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 87 is a perspective view showing the structure of theposition-detecting apparatus of a twenty-ninth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 88 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure and operation of aconventional automatic disc-changing apparatus.

Part 2

FIG. 89 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a conventionaldisc-chucking apparatus.

FIG. 90 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a conventional discchucking apparatus with a disc resting thereon.

FIG. 91 is a perspective view showing a chucking magnet having a singlemagnetic domain structure magnetized in one direction.

FIG. 92 is a perspective view showing a chucking magnet having a stripedmagnetic domain structure magnetized in both directions.

FIG. 93 is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a disc loadingand unloading apparatus for a recording and reproducing apparatus usinga disc-chucking apparatus.

FIG. 94 is a plan view showing the structure of a conventionalposition-detecting apparatus.

FIG. 95 is a plan view showing the arcuate pattern on theposition-detecting circuit board of a conventional position-detectingapparatus.

FIG. 96 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the contact gear of theconventional position-detecting apparatus.

FIG. 97 is a view taken along a line S97--S97 in FIG. 96.

FIG. 98 is a descriptive diagram showing the significances of thesymbols used in the conceptual diagrams.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the attached drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 through FIG. 9 relate to a first embodiment of an automaticdisc-changing apparatus in accordance with the present invention, andshow a mechanism for transporting, from a standby position 200a at thefront of the apparatus to a recording and reproducing position 200babove the player 1, or alternatively from the recording and reproducingposition 200b to the standby position 200a, cartridges 91, 92, 93 or 94accommodating within them optomagnetic discs or other disk-typeinformation recording medium (not shown in the figure, and referred toin the first through fourth embodiments hereinbelow simply as "discs").

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram taken along a line IV--IVin FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in which the right side of the drawing is thefront of the apparatus. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of thefirst embodiment taken along a line I--I in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a planview of the apparatus of the first embodiment taken along a line II--IIin FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram of the apparatusof the first embodiment taken along a line III--III in FIG. 2 and FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a transfermechanism 100a, which imparts motion to a cartridge holder in thehorizontal direction; FIG. 6A through 6E are descriptive diagrams forthe purpose of describing the operation of transfer mechanism 100a; andFIG. 7 is a descriptive diagram for the purpose of describing themechanism for detecting the angle of rotation of loading gear 140 thatforms a part of constitutes of the transfer mechanism 100a.

Further, FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describingthe operation of the elevating mechanism 100b of the first embodiment,and FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing theoperation of the transfer mechanism 100a and the holding mechanism fortransport 100c, which holds one of the cartridge holders 103a, 103b,103c or 103d. The significance of the symbols used in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9is as given in FIG. 98.

As is shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, an automatic disc-changingapparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises cartridgeholders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d, which hold, respectively, cartridges91, 92, 93 and 94; a holder 107 (shown only in FIG. 2) which holds thecartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d in standby position 200a; aholding mechanism for transport 100c, which selectively holds one of thecartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d; a transfer mechanism 100a,which moves the holding mechanism for transport 100c horizontally to thefront and rear (direction DK); and an elevating mechanism 100b, whichcauses the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d to ascend ordescend vertically (direction LM). As is shown in FIG. 1, a block guide413 is fixed to chassis 5 on the front panel of the apparatus, and aplurality of cartridge insertion ports corresponding, respectively, tothe cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d are provided in theblock guide.

As is shown in FIG. 9, each of the cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 isequipped with a shutter 101, which is capable of sliding motion. Theshutter 101 is open when any of cartridges 91, 92, 93 or 94 is in therecording and reproducing position 200b, and is capable of reading theinformation recorded on the disc that is accommodated within thecartridge by means of the pickup 7 shown in FIG. 3. Further, as shown inFIG. 9, the bottom surface of cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 are providedwith engagement grooves 102a and 102b, which engages with the cartridgeholders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d.

When the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d are loaded in thestandby position 200a, they are held, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, bythe holder 107 fixed to the chassis 5. At appropriate places on each ofcartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d are provided, as shown inFIG. 9, an opener 104 for the cartridge shutter 101; positioning springs105a and 105b, which engage with the engagement grooves 102a and 102b toposition the cartridge; and engagement holes 106a, 106b, 106c and 106b,which engage with chucking pins 154a, 154b, 155a and 155b on chuckingarms 150 and 151.

As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus of the first embodiment is furtherequipped with detecting rods 108, which are mounted on the holder 107,which are mounted on either side of the standby position 200a on thechassis 5 (i.e., on the left and right sides of FIG. 2). The detectingrods 108 slides in direction A when a corresponding cartridge isinserted. The apparatus is further equipped with cartridge detectingswitches 109, which are in butt contact with the corresponding detectingrods 108 moving in direction A and detect whether the cartridge has beenloaded or not.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 or FIG. 8, the elevating mechanism 100bcomprises a motor 115 which is mounted on the chassis 5 at the front ofthe apparatus; a worm 116 which is fixed on an rotating shaft of themotor 115; a gear 117 which is supported on the chassis 5 in such a waythat it can rotate freely and engages with the worm 116; a gear 118which is supported on the chassis 5 in such a way that it can rotatefreely and engages with the gear 117; and a cam gear 119 which iscentered on a rotation shaft 161 and supported with respect to thechassis 5 in such a way that it can rotate freely and engages with thegear 118. A drive pin 120 is implanted into the cam gear 119 so as toface it perpendicularly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 or FIG. 8, the elevatingmechanism 100b also comprises on either side of chassis 5 (i.e., on boththe left and right of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) slide cams 126 and 127, whichare slidable horizontally to the front and rear (direction DK). Each ofslide cams 126 and 127 is equipped with protruding members 128 and 129,which protrude inward in the horizontal direction. Each of the slidecams 126 and 127 also has flanges 126a and 127a directed horizontallyinward. In the flange 126a is formed an elongated cam hole 130horizontally to the left and right (direction EF) so as to be atright-angles to the motion of the slide cam 126, and in the flange 127ais formed an elongated cam hole 131 horizontally to the left and right(direction EF). Again, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 8, there is formed inthe vertical surface of the slide cam 126, two stepped cam holes 163aand 163b of identical configuration, and in the vertical surface of theslide cam 127, two stepped cam holes 164a and 164b of identicalconfiguration.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 8, the elevating mechanism 100bfurther comprises a loading lever 132, which has a perpendicularrotating shaft 133 that is fixed to the chassis 5. There is formed inthe loading lever 132 a cam hole 134, which engages with the drive pin120 implanted into cam gear 119. As shown in FIG. 3, the cam hole 134has a linear portion 134a and an arcuate portion 162. On either end ofthe loading lever 132, there is implanted an engaging pin 135a, whichengages with the cam hole 130 in the flange 126a of the slide cam 126,and an engaging pin 135b, which engages with the cam hole 131 in theflange 127a of the slide cam 127.

The elevating mechanism 100b further comprises an elevator (or elevatorbase) 139, which is engaged with the slide cams 126 and 127. The sidesurfaces of the elevator 139 are equipped with engaging pins 144a, 144b,144c and 144d, which are engaged with the stepped cain holes 163a, 163b,164a and 164b formed in the slide cams 126 and 127, and are engaged withthe vertical cam holes 136a, 136b, 136c and 136d formed in the chassis 5and extending in the vertical direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 9, the transfermechanism 100a comprises a motor 110 mounted on the rear of the chassis5; a worm 111 which is fitted to the rotating shaft of the motor 110; agear 112 which is supported on the chassis 5 in such a way that it canrotate freely and engages with the worm 111; a gear 113 which issupported on chassis 5 in such a way that it can rotate freely andengages with the gear 112; and a cylindrical gear 114 which is supportedon the chassis 5 in such a way that it can rotate freely and engageswith the gear 113.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 5, the transfer mechanism100a comprises a loading gear 140 which is supported by a rotating shaft141 on the elevator 139, and a gear 142 which is supported on theelevator 139 such a way that it can rotate freely and engaged with theloading gear 140 and the cylindrical gear 114. On either side of theelevator 139 (i.e., on both the left and right in FIG. 2), there areformed long, narrow guide slots 143a and 143b oriented horizontally tothe front and rear in the direction of movement of the slide cams 126and 127 (direction DK).

Further, the transfer mechanism 100a comprises a transporter 145supported on the elevator 139 in such a way as to be capable of slidingmotion. The transporter 145 is equipped with rollers 153a and 153b whichare supported so as to rotate freely and engaged with the guide slot143a of the elevator 139, and rollers 153c and 153d which are supportedso as to rotate freely and engaged with the guide slot 143b. As shown inFIG. 5, the transporter 145 further comprises a horizontally configuredY-shaped cam hole 146 having a linear portion 146a that extendshorizontally to the left and right (direction EF), which isperpendicular to the horizontal to the front and rear direction in whichthe transporter moves (direction DK), and two arcuate portions 147 and148, which fork from one end of linear portion 146a. As shown in FIG.6E, the arcuate portion 147 has as its radius of the distance from therotating shaft 141 of the loading gear 140 to the engaging pin 157, andas shown in FIG. 6A, the arcuate portion 148 has as its radius of arcthe same distance from the rotating shaft 141 of the loading gear 140 tothe engaging pin 157.

Further, an apparatus of the first embodiment is equipped with adetecting mechanism for detecting the angle of rotation of the loadinggear 140. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the detecting mechanismcomprises a sensor holder 122 mounted on the chassis 5; cam holes 122aand 122b formed in the sensor holder 122; and a rack 123, which, bymeans of the engagement of cam holes 122a and 122b with engaging pins123a and 123b, is slidable horizontally to the front and rear (directionDK) and is engaged with the cylindrical gear 114. A film 125 isstretched over the rack 123, and optical sensors 124a and 124b areprovided above the sensor holder 122 so as to face the film 125 throughthe aperture (not shown in the drawings) of the sensor holder 122. Thefilm 125 forms a pattern using colors of high and low opticalreflectivity (such as silver and black), and a controller 159 detectsthe angle of rotation of the loading gear 140 on the basis ofinformation on the pattern of the film 125 as detected by the opticalsensors 124a and 124b.

Further, the transfer mechanism 100a is equipped with a holdingmechanism for the transport 100c, which holds the cartridge holder fortransport. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 9, the holding mechanism fortransport 100c comprises chucking arms 150 and 151 which are supportedin such a way as to slide freely horizontally to the left and right withrespect to the transporter 145 (direction EF); and a spring 152 whichengages at either end with chucking arms 150 and 151 and applies a forcein a direction to draw the chucking arms 150 and 151 towards each other.Engagement pins 145a and 145b that are implanted into the bottom surfaceof the transporter 145 are engaged with slots 150b and 150c of thechucking arm 150 and slots 151b and 151c of the chucking arm 151. Theslots 150b and 150c are elongated horizontally to the left and right ofthe chucking arm 150 (direction EF), and slots 151b and 151c, which areelongated horizontally to the left and right of chucking arm 151(direction EF).

The holding mechanism for transport 100c is equipped with a lever member149, which is rotatable around on a center pin 145c of the transporter145, and two slots 149a and 149b formed on lever member 149 are eachengaged with the engaging pin 150a implanted into the chucking arm 150and the engaging pin 151a implanted into the chucking arm 151.

The chucking arm 150 is equipped with chucking pins 154a and 154b, whichare implanted facing inward for the purpose of engaging with thecartridge holder, and the chucking arm 151 is equipped with chuckingpins 155a and 155b, which are implanted facing inward for the purpose ofengaging with the cartridge holder.

Further, in the chucking arm 151 there is formed an edge portion 156,which receives the chucking arm driving power; and in the loading gear140 there is implanted into an engaging pin 157, which is insertedthrough Y-shaped cam hole 146 and establishes butt contact with the edgeportion 156 of the chucking arm 151.

The apparatus of the first embodiment is further equipped with detectingswitches 158a and 158b for detecting the height of the elevator 139,which are mounted on the chassis 5 in such a way as to be in buttcontact with protruding members 128 and 129 mounted on the slide cams126 and 127; and a controller 159, which provides general controlfunctions for the apparatus as a whole, controlling the motors 110 and115, receiving signals from the detecting switches and optical sensors,controlling the operation of the player 1, and so on.

A vibration-absorbing damper is inserted between the player 1 and thechassis 5 in order to mitigate the transmission of external vibration tothe player 1 and to eliminate the skips that may occur in the reading ofsignals.

Following is a description of the elevating mechanism 100b withreference to FIG. 8. The elevating mechanism 100b is operated by a drivemotor 115 on the basis of an instruction from the controller 159. Therotational driving power of the motor 115 is transmitted through theworm 116, the gear 117 and the gear 118 to the cam gear 119, and isconverted into rotation of the loading lever 132 about the rotatingshaft 133 by means of the cam hole 134 in the loading lever 132 and theengaging pin 120 of the cam gear 119. When the loading lever 132 rotatesclockwise, the slide cam 127, which has cam hole 131 engaging with theengaging pin 135b, moves horizontally forward (direction K) while theslide cam 126, which has cam hole 130 engaging with the engaging pin135a, moves horizontally backward (direction D). On the other hand, whenthe loading lever 132 rotates counter clockwise, the slide cam 127 moveshorizontally backward (direction D), while the slide cam 126 moveshorizontally forward (direction K).

When the slide cams 126 and 127 are moving, the engaging pins 144a,144b, 144c and 144d of the elevator 139 are engaged respectively withthe cam holes 136a, 136b, 136c and 136d, which are formed in the chassis5 and elongated in the vertical direction, and do not move horizontallyto the front and rear (directions DK), so that through the action of themechanism consisting of the cam holes 163a and 163b of the slide cam 126and the cam holes 164a and 164b of the slide cam 127, and of theengaging pins 144a, 144b, 144c and 144d that engage with them, theelevator 139 moves vertically (directions LM). In the case shown in FIG.8, when the slide cam 126 moves horizontally backward (direction D) andthe slide cam 127 moves horizontally forward (direction K), the elevator139 decends, and conversely when the slide cam 126 moves horizontallyforward (direction K) and the slide cam 127 moves horizontally backward(direction D), the elevator 139 ascends.

Following is a description of the transfer mechanism 100a with referenceto FIG. 6 and FIG. 9. The transfer mechanism 100a is operated byrotation of the drive motor 110 on the basis of an instruction from thecontroller 159. The rotational driving power of the motor 110 istransmitted through the worm 111, the gear 112, the gear 113, thecylindrical gear 114 and the gear 142 to the loading gear 140. When theloading gear 140 rotates, the transporter 145 moves horizontally to thefront and rear (directions DK) along the guide slots 143a and 143b ofthe elevator 139 by means of the Y-shaped cam hole 146 of thetransporter 145 and the engaging pin 157 of the loading gear 140.

Following is a detailed description of the way in which the transporter145 moves horizontally to the front and rear (directions DK) due to therotary motion of the loading gear 140, with reference to FIG. 6A throughFIG. 6E. In bringing the transporter 145 horizontally forward (directionK) from above the recording and reproducing position 200b to the standbyposition 200a, the loading gear 140 is rotated counterclockwise(direction B). As shown in FIG. 6A, when the transporter 145 is abovethe recording and reproducing position 200b, the engaging pin 157 is inthe arcuate portions 148 of the cam hole 146. Through thecounterclockwise (direction B) movement of the loading gear 140, theengaging pin 157 is brought to the position shown in FIG. 6B. In theprocess From FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B, movement of the engaging pin 157 withinthe arcuate portion 148 does not move the transporter 145. When theloading gear 140 continues its rotation from FIG. 6B to FIG. 6C, thetransporter 145 moves horizontally forward (direction K) for a distanceY1. Then when the loading gear 140 continues its rotation from FIG. 6Cto FIG. 6D, the transporter 145 moves horizontally forward (direction K)for a further distance Y1. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6E, the engagingpin 157 advances to the other arcuate portion 147 of the cam hole 146and the rotation of the loading gear 140 ceases. In the process fromFIG. 6D to FIG. 6E, the transporter 145 remains in the standby position200a, without moving horizontally forward or backward (directions DK).

In returning the transporter 145 from the standby position 200a to therecording and reproducing position 200b, the operations from FIG. 6E toFIG. 6A may be followed in the reverse order from that described above.

Following is a description of the holding mechanism for transport 100cwith reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 9. Operation of the holdingmechanism for transport 100c is linked to the rotary motion of theloading gear 140, which moves the transporter 145. When the engaging pin157 of the loading gear 140 is in butt contact with the edge portion 156of the chucking arm 151 and is not pushing the chucking arm 151horizontally to the right (direction F), as shown in FIG. 6A throughFIG. 6D, the chucking arms 150 and 151 are drawn toward each other bythe spring 152. When the engaging pin 157 of the loading gear 140 is inbutt contact with the edge portion 156 of the chucking arm 151 and movesthe chucking arm 151 horizontally to the right (direction F) against thecompressive force of the spring 152 as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6E, thechucking pins 155a and 155b of the chucking arm 151 become separatedfrom the cartridge holder 103. Simultaneously, the movement of thechucking arm 151 horizontally to the right (direction F) is transmittedto the chucking arm 150 through the lever members 149, which issupported by the transporter 145, centered on the rotating shaft 145c,moving the chucking arm 150 horizontally to the left (direction E) anddrawing the chucking pins 154a and 154b away from the cartridge holder103.

Following is a description of the overall operation of the apparatus ofthe first embodiment having the structure described above. If a userinserts a cartridge 91 through the insertion port of the front of thecartridge holder 103a as shown in FIG. 1 and and FIG. 2, the opener 104of the cartridge holder 103a establishes butt contact with the shutter101 of the cartridge 91 as shown in FIG. 9, and the shutter 101 slidesand exposes a portion of the disc accommodated within, so reading orwriting of information becomes possible. As a result of this insertion,the leading ends of positioning springs 105a and 105b of the cartridgeholder 103a engage with the engagement grooves 102a and 102b of thecartridge, and the cartridge 91 is held in a prescribed position insidecartridge holder 103a. By repeating this operation with the remainingcartridges 92, 93 and 94, the cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 can be loadedinto all of the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d.

Detection of whether the cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 have been loadedor not is accomplished, as shown in FIG. 2, by the rods 108, which arein butt contact with the side of cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 and slidesin direction A, and detecting switches 109, which take the on or offstate in accordance with the position of rods 108 in direction A. Therods and detecting switches are provided for holders 107.

If the user then operates the control panel (not shown in the drawings)so as to select the cartridge 94 to be reproduced, the elevatingmechanism 100b will cause the elevator 139 to move to a prescribedheight. As shown in FIG. 3, the height of the elevator 139 is detectedby the protruding members 128 and 129 provided respectively onhorizontally moving slide cams 126 and 127, and the detecting switches158a and 158b, which come into contact with them and take on or offstate. In changing the height of the elevator 139, the motor 110 ispowered on the basis of an instruction from the controller 159. Therotational driving power of the motor 110 is transmitted to the loadinggear 140, causing it to rotate either in direction C (loading) ordirection B (unloading).

Next, the transfer mechanism 100a and the holding mechanism fortransport 100c operate. Initially, in the state shown in FIG. 6A, thechucking pins 155a and 155b of the the chucking arm 151 and the chuckingpins 154a and 154b of the chucking arm 150 are separated from thecartridge holder 103a as shown in FIG. 9. When, in the state from FIG.6A to FIG. 6B, the loading gear 140 rotates in direction B, the engagingpin 157 moves along the arcuate portion 148 of the cam hole 146. Sincethe arcuate portion 148 forms an are having as its radius the distancebetween the rotating shaft 141 and the engaging pin 157, the position ofthe transporter 145 in the Y-axis direction will not change. At thistime, however, the chucking arms 151 and 150 are being drawn togetherhorizontally to the left (direction E) and horizontally to the right(direction F) by the action of the spring 152, so that the chucking arm151 moves horizontally to the left (direction E) with the edge portion156 in contact with the engaging pin 157, and the chucking arm 150 ismoved horizontally to the right (direction F) by the lever member 149.Thus, in the state shown in FIG. 6B, the chucking pins 154a, 154b, 155aand 155b fit respectively into the engagement holes 106a, 106b, 106c and106d so that the transporter 145 and the cartridge holder 103a areunified as an integral unit.

Next, the loading gear 140 rotates in direction B from the state shownin FIG. 6B through that of FIG. 6C to that of FIG. 6D. During this time,the transporter 145 and the cartridge holder 103a move as an integralunit horizontally forward (direction K) the same distance as the Y-axiscomponent of the movement of the pin 157.

Next, as the loading gear 140 rotates in direction B from the stateshown from FIG. 6D to FIG. 6E, the engaging pin 157 moves along thearcuate portion 147. Since the arcuate portion 147 forms an are havingas its radius the distance between the rotating shaft 141 and theengaging pin 157, the position of the transporter 145 in the Y-axisdirection will not change. However, as the loading gear 140 rotates fromthe state shown in FIG. 6D to that of FIG. 6E, the engaging pin 157presses horizontally to the right (direction F) on the edge portion 156of the chucking arm 151, so that the chucking arm 151 moves horizontallyto the right (direction F) and the chucking pins 155a and 155b becomeseparated from the cartridge holder 103a. Simultaneously thehorizontally to the right (direction F) movement of the chucking arm 151is transmitted through the lever 149 to the chucking arm 150, thechucking arm 150 moves horizontally to the left (direction E) and thechucking pins 155c and 155b become separated from the cartridge holder103a.

The angle of rotation of the loading gear 140 is sensed by thecontroller 159 on the basis of the output of the optical sensors 124aand 124b, which read the pattern of the film 125 on the rack 123engaging with the cylindrical gear 114 and moving horizontally to thefront and rear of the apparatus (direction DK).

When the controller 159 senses that the state shown in FIG. 6E has beenreached, it emits an instruction for the motor 115 to rotate, causingthe cam gear 119 to rotate either in direction G (loading) or directionH (unloading), and driving the elevating mechanism 100b.

Following is a description of the loading action in which thetransporter 145 is moved from the standby position 200a to the positionabove the recording and reproducing position 200b, on the basis ofinstructions from the controller 159. When the motor 110 rotates and theloading gear 140 rotates in the loading direction (direction C), theengaging pin 157 moves from the state shown in FIG. 6E to that in FIG.6D and the chucking pins 154a, 154b, 155a and 155b fit into holes in thecartridge holder 103a. Since during this time the engaging pin 157 movesalong the arcuate portion 147, the Y-axis position of the transporter145 does not change.

Then, when the loading gear 140 moves from the state shown in FIG. 6Dthrough that of FIG. 6C to that of FIG. 6B, the transporter 145, formingan integral unit with the cartridge holder 103a, moves a distance of2·(Y1) in the Y-axis direction. When it is detected by the output of theoptical sensors 124a and 124b that the state shown in FIG. 6B has beenreached, the motion of the motor 110 is stopped on the basis of aninstruction from the controller 159.

The motor 115 of the elevating mechanism 100b is now driven in theloading direction, which causes the slide cams 126 and 127 to move andthe elevator 139 to descend. The elevator 139 descends to a height atwhich the turntable 6 comes into contact with the center of the disc inthe cartridge 91. In this state, the player 1 is in a locked condition,fixed with respect to the chassis 5. If the motor 115 is then caused torotate further in the loading direction, the drive pin 120 moves alongthe arcuate portion 162 of the loading lever 132, with the result thatthe loading lever 132 does not receive the driving power from the drivepin 120. Thus the slide cams 127 and 126 do not move until thecompletion of the floating operation described below.

Next the motor 110 of the transport mechanism 100b rotates in theloading direction, the engaging pins 157 moves from the state shown inFIG. 6B to that of FIG. 6A, and the chucking pins 154a, 154b, 155a and155b are in a state of separation from the cartridge holder. At thispoint the rotation of the motor 115 in the unloading direction causesthe elevator 139 to ascend, but the cartridge holder and cartridge 91continue to be held in an integral state with the player 1 by means of acartridge clamping mechanism 300, which will be described below. As aresult of the ascent of the elevator 139, a clearance permitting acertain stroke appears between the player 1 and the elevator 139. Atthis time, the player 1 and the cartridge 91 held by the player 1 arefloated from the chassis 5 within the range of a certain stroke.Accordingly vibration from the outside will be absorbed and will not bereadily transmitted to the player 1.

Following is a description of the operation by which the cartridge beingplayed is replaced by another cartridge. When the user specifies on thecontrol panel (not shown in the drawing) the number of the cartridge tobe played next, for example, number 2 (the second cartridge from thetop), reproduction on the player 1 ceases on the basis of an instructionfrom the controller 159. The motor 115 is then rotated in the loadingdirection, causing the elevator 139 to descend, and when the center ofthe disc in the cartridge 91 reaches the height of the turntable 6, themotion of the motor 115 ceases. Next, the motor 110 is driven, whichcauses the loading gear 140 to rotate in direction B and to move fromthe state shown in FIG. 6A to that of FIG. 6B. The chucking pins 154a,154b, 155a and 155b therefore fit into holes in the cartridge holder,and the motor 110 is stopped at the position shown in FIG. 6B. Next themotor 115 of the elevating mechanism 100b rotates in the unloadingdirection, which causes the player 1 to move from the floating conditionto the locked condition. The motor 115 rotates in the unloadingdirection, causing the cartridge clamping mechanism, which will bedescribed below, to operate, and the cartridge 91 is released from itsintegral unity with the player 1 and forms an integral unity with theelevator 139.

Until the completion of the operation of the cartridge clampingmechanism, the drive pin 120 moves along the arcuate portion 162, withthe result that the loading lever 132 does not rotate. Even after themotor 115 causes the operation of the cartridge clamping mechanism belowdescribed, rotation continuing in the unloading direction causes theloading lever 132 to rotate, the slide cams 126 and 127 to move, andelevator 139 to ascend until it reaches the prescribed height.

Next, the transporter 145 moves from the state shown in FIG. 6B throughthat of FIG. 6C to that of FIG. 6D, at which point the cartridge holderis returned to the holding mechanism for standby. When it further movesfrom the state shown in FIG. 6D to that of FIG. 6E, the chucking pins154a, 154b, 155a and 155b are separated from the cartridge holder, andthe motor 110 stops.

Next the motor 115 operates and the elevator 139 moves to the height atwhich cartridge 92 is kept. The decision as to whether at this time theelevator 139 should ascend or descend is made on the basis of adetection signal from the detecting switches 158a and 158b.

Next transporter 145 moves from the position of FIG. 6E to the positionof FIG. 6D, and in the process, the cartridge holder 103b of thecartridge 92 forms an integral unit with the transporter 145. Thetransporter 145 moves from the position of FIG. 6D through that of FIG.6C to that of FIG. 6B, and the cartridge 92 is loaded to the player 1

Following is a description of the clamping mechanism 100d which clampsthe cartridge onto the player 1.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the structure of the cartridgeclamping mechanism 100d of the automatic disc-changing apparatus of thefirst embodiment; FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-section view taken along aline V--V in FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-section view takenalong a line VI--VI in FIG. 10; FIG. 13 is a conceptual drawing for thepurpose of describing the operation of the cartridge clamping mechanism100d of FIG. 10; FIG. 14 is a conceptual drawing for the purpose ofdescribing the mechanism that drives the floating arm 137 shown in FIG.13; and FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cartridgeclamping mechanism 100d from when the player 1 is in a fixed conditionto when it reaches the floating condition. The significance of thesymbols shown in the conceptual drawings in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 is asgiven in FIG. 98.

As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 13, the cartridge clamping mechanism 100dcomprises the floating arm 137 supported so as to rotatable around therotating shaft 137a on the chassis 5; and a detecting switch 301, whichis in butt contact with the floating arm 137 and detects its position.The cartridge clamping mechanism 100d further comprises a slide plate302, which is mounted in such a way as to engage a pin 302a in the camhole 137b formed in the floating arm 137 and to be slidable horizontallyto the left and right (directions EF); a lever member 303 linked to theslide plate 302 and axially supported so as to be rotatable around arotating shaft 303a; and a slide plate 304 linked to the lever member303 and mounted on chassis 5 in such a way as to be slidablehorizontally to the left and right of the apparatus (directions EF).

The cartridge clamping mechanism 100d further comprises clamping plates305 and 306 which are supported axially on the chassis 5 so as torotatable around shafts 305a and 306a. The clamping plates 305 and 306are provided respectively with engaging pins 305b and 306b, and theengaging pins 305b and 306b engage respectively with cam holes 305a and306a formed in the slide plates 302 and 304.

The cartridge clamping mechanism 100d further comprises rubbervibration-damping pads 309a, 309b, 309c and 309d; pins 310a, 310b, 310cand 310d for supporting the player 1, which are inserted respectivelyinto the rubber vibration-damping pads 309a, 309b, 309c and 309d;tension springs 311a, 311b, 311c and 311d which are respectively fixedat one end to the pins 310a, 310b, 310c and 310d and at the other end tothe chassis 5; and projections 312 and 313 which are provided atappropriate places on the player 1.

The cartridge clamping mechanism 100d further comprises hooks 307 and308 provided respectively on the slide plates 302 and 304; clampinglevers 314 and 315 axially supported so as to rotate on the player 1;gear 316 provided on the clamping lever 314; gear 317 axially supportedso as to rotate on the player 1 and engage with the gear 316; pin 318implanted in gear 317; pin 319 implanted in the clamping lever 315; aspring 320 which is engaged at one end to the clamping lever 314 and atthe other end to the player 1; and a spring 321 which is engaged at oneend to the clamping lever 315 and at the other end to the player 1.

Following is a description of the operation of the cartridge clampingmechanism 100c with reference to FIG. 10 through FIG. 15.

To load the cartridge 91 to the player 1, the elevating mechanism 100acauses the cartridge 91 to descend onto the upper surface of the player1, and at the same time the floating arm 137 is caused to rotatecounterclockwise (direction ccwz) (Steps 1 and 2 in FIG. 15). At thispoint the slide plate 302 linked to the floating arm 137 slideshorizontally to the left (direction xr or direction E) (Step 3 in FIG.15), and the lever 303, being linked to the slide plate 302, rotatesclockwise (direction cwz), causing the slide plate 304 to slidehorizontally to the right (direction xf or direction F) (Steps 4 and 8in FIG. 15).

At this point the hook 307 establishes butt contact with the pin 318which is fixed to the gear 317, is pushing the pins 318 horizontally tothe left (direction xr or direction E) and is causing the gear 317 torotate counterclockwise (direction ccwy) (Step 6 in FIG. 15). The gear317 engages with the gear 316 and causes the clamping lever 314 fixed t6the gear 316 to rotate clockwise (direction cwy) (Step 7 in FIG. 15)until the cartridge 91 is clamped in the player 1 (Step 11 in FIG. 15).Simultaneously, the slide plate 304 moves horizontally to the right(direction xf or direction F) (Step 8 in FIG. 15), the hook 308establishes butt contact with the pin 319 (Step 9 in FIG. 15), pushesthe pin 319 horizontally to the right (direction xf or direction F), andcauses the clamping lever 314 to rotate counterclockwise (directionccwy) (Step 10 in FIG. 15) until the cartridge 91 is clamped in theplayer 1 (Step 11 in FIG. 15).

Further, when the slide plate 302 slides horizontally to the left(direction xr, direction E) and the slide plate 304 slides horizontallyto the right (direction xf, direction F), the clamping plates 305 and306, which clamps the pins 310b and 310c of the player 1, become linkedrespectively with the slide plates 302 and 304 and rotate respectivelycounterclockwise (direction ccwy) and clockwise (direction cwy),separating from pins 310b and 310c (Steps 12 and 14 in FIG. 15). At thesame time the projections 312 and 313 of the player 1 separaterespectively from the slide plates 302 and 304 (Steps 13 and 15 in FIG.15), and the player 1 is supported on the chassis 5 only by the rubbervibration-damping pads 309a, 309b, 309c and 309d and the tension springs311a, 311b, 311c and 311d (Step 16 in FIG. 15).

Once one end of the floating arm 137 establishes butt contact with thedetecting switch 301, the controller 159 receives a detection signalfrom the detecting switch 301, on the basis of which the rotary motionof the floating arm 137 is arrested. Even if vibration is imparted tothe chassis 5 at this time, the cartridge 91 remains clamped to theplayer 1 by levers 314 and 315, flexibly supported by the rubbervibration-damping pads 309a, 309b, 309c and 309d and the tension springs311a, 311b, 311c and 311d.

To eject the cartridge 91 that has been loaded in the player 1, themotor 115 of the elevating mechanism 100b is driven, causing thefloating arm 137 to rotate clockwise (direction cwz) and the slideplates 302 and 304 to slide respectively horizontally to the right(direction xf) and horizontally to the left (direction xr). At thispoint the projections 312 and 313 establish butt contact with the slideplates 302 and 304 and the clamping plates 305 and 306 rotaterespectively clockwise (direction cwy) and counterclockwise (directionccwy) to the pins 310b and 310c. Then the player 1 has been fixed on thechassis 5 and the holding mechanism for transport 100c engages with thecartridge 91.

Following is a description of an insertion and ejection mechanism 100eof the automatic disc-changing apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the insertion and ejection mechanism 100e forthe cartridge. FIG. 17 is a conceptual drawing of the insertion andejection mechanism 103a of FIG. 16, wherein the significance of thesymbols used is as given in FIG. 98. FIG. 18 is a schematic verticalcross-sectional diagram showing taken along the line VII--VII in FIG.16. FIG. 19 is a front view of the apparatus with the cartridgesinserted.

The cartridge insertion and ejection mechanism 100e of the firstembodiment is provided for each of the cartridge holders in which acartridge is loaded. The insertion and ejection mechanism 100e comprisesa cartridge holder 103a (the description of the cartridge holders 103b,103c and 103d are omitted because of the same structure); the engagementholes 402a, 402b, 402c and 402d, which are formed on the side surfacesof the cartridge holder 103a and engage with the chucking pins 154a,154b, 154c and 154d provided on the chucking arms 150 and 151 of theholding mechanism for transport 100c; and an eject lever axiallysupported on the cartridge holder 103a so as to be rotatable around ashaft 403a. The insertion and ejection mechanism 100e further comprisesa slide plate 404 mounted on the cartridge holder 103a so as to beslidable horizontally to the front and rear (directions DK) andestablishes butt contact with the eject lever 403; an engagement arm 405supported so as to be rotatable around a shaft 405a; a spring 406, ofwhich one end is fixed to the engagement arm 405 and the other end isfixed to a portion of the cartridge holder 103a; a tension spring 407,of which one end is fixed to the eject lever 403 and the other end isfixed to a portion of the cartridge holder 103a; and a compressivespring 408 that engages with a dent 416 in the cartridge 91. Theinsertion and ejection mechanism 100e further comprises block members409 and 410 mounted on the left and right of each of the the cartridgeholders, and blockguides 409 and 410 mounted at appropriate places onthe chassis 5.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, tapered portions 417 and 418 are formedabove and below the rear of each of the cartridge holder 103a, 103b,103c and 103d, and the cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 have on their frontsurfaces label surfaces 419 on which titles 420 are inscribed.

The front surface of the apparatus is further provided with a controlpanel 413 mounted on the chassis 5; a window 414 (cartridge insertionport) formed in control panel 413; and knobs 415 mounted on the controlpanel 413.

Following is a description of the operation of the insertion andejection mechanism 100e. To remove from the apparatus a cartridge 91that has been transported to the standby position 200a by the transportmechanism 100a, the user presses a knob 415 with a finger. The slideplate 404 slides horizontally backward (direction yf, direction D)against the compressive force of the compressive spring 408, and theeject lever 403, which is in butt contact with the slide plate 404,rotates clockwise (direction cwz) around the shaft 403. This brings theejector lever 403 into butt contact with the rear edge 91a of thecartridge 91 and the cartridge 91 is pushed out horizontally forward(direction yr, direction K) against the compressive force of compressivespring 408. When finger pressure is applied to the knob 415, thecompressive force also acts horizontally backward (direction yf,direction D) on the cartridge holder 103a but the engagement arm 405 ofthe cartridge holder 103a is engaged with the block guide 411, so thatthe cartridge holder 103a cannot move in horizontally backward(direction yf, direction D) during the ejection of the cartridge 91.

After the cartridge 91 is withdrawn from the cartridge holder 103a andthe user releases the knob 415, the eject lever 403 is rotatedcounterclockwise (direction ccwz) by the compressive force of thetension spring 407 until it reaches its original position.

Following is an description of a case in which a different cartridge 91is inserted in cartridge holder 103a. The user inserts the cartridge 91horizonally backward (direction D) through the window 413. Thecompressive spring 408 then engages with the dent 416 of the cartridge91, the holding cartridge 91 in the cartridge holder 103a. At this time,as can be seen in FIG. 19, the label surface 419 of cartridge 91 ispositioned in virtually the same plane as the surface of the controlpanel 413, allowing the user to check what is written on cartridge 91from the front of control panel 413.

Further, since the tapered portions 417 and 418 are provided above andbelow the rear edge of the cartridge holder 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d,in transporting the cartridge holder (here 103c) to standby position200a by means of the transporter mechanism, even if, due to the effectsof apparatus assembly error or vibration during the transporting of theapparatus, there were to occur a height error producing interferencefrom the adjacent cartridge holder 103b or 103d, which are loaded instandby position 200a, the label surface 419 of the cartridge 91 beingtransported will be led to the correct position along the taperedportions 418 and 417 of adjacent cartridge holders 103b and 103d.

In the automatic disc-changing apparatus of the first embodiment, asabove described, a plurality of the cartridge holders for holding thecartridges are provided on the holding mechanism for standby, so thatany one of this plurality of cartridge holders can, by means of theholding mechanism for transport 100c, the transfer mechanism 100b whichmoves this holding mechanism for the transport 100c in the horizontaldirection, and the elevating mechanism 100b, which causes the holdingmechanism for transport 100c to ascend and descend and to transfer iteither from the standby position 200a to the recording and reproducingposition 200b, or from recording and reproducing position 200b tostandby position 200a.

Further the holding mechanism for standby is provided with a pluralityof cartridge insertion ports corresponding, respectively, to a pluralityof cartridge holders, so that cartridges can be loaded in the respectivecartridge holders by inserting the cartridges in the cartridge insertionports, providing an operating procedure that is simpler than theconventional one in which the magazine rack must be withdrawn beforediscs are replaced.

Further, the loading gear 140, which is supported so that it rotatesfreely in the elevator 139 which moves vertically with respect to thechassis 5, is caused to engage with the cylindrical gear 114, to whichdriving power is transmitted from a drive motor 115 mounted on chassis5, with the result that loading gear 140, which is supported on elevator139 and changes height in the vertical direction, because of itsengagement with cylindrical gear 114, can transmit driving powercontinuously to drive motor 115, no matter what the height of theelevator 139 may be, achieving a simple mechanism for transmittingmotive power to the moving parts, and resulting in an apparatus that hasfewer components and is less costly.

Further, the engaging pin 157 implanted in the loading gear 140, whichis supported so as to rotate freely on the elevator 139 is caused toengage with Y-shaped cam hole 146, which is formed in transporter 145,which is so supported as to slide on elevator 139, with the result thatthe structure of transporter 145 is simplified, due to the rotary motionof the loading gear 140, it becomes slidable horizontally to the frontand rear (direction DK), resulting in an apparatus that has fewercomponents and is less costly.

Further, the engaging pin 157, which is implanted in the loading gear140, is inserted through the Y-shaped cam hole 146 formed in thetransporter 145 and is brought into butt contact with the chucking arm151 of the holding mechanism for transport 100c, which is supported soas to slide freely on the transporter 145, with the result that thehorizontal movement forward and backward of the transporter 145 and thecartridge holder hold and release actions of the holding mechanism fortransport 100c can be carried out with a simple structure, resulting inan apparatus that has fewer components and is less costly.

Further, the cam gear 111 having cam hole 121 is engaged with the drivemotor via the reduction gearing and the floating arm 137 is engaged tothe cam hole 121, so that the loading lever and floating arm have theirmotion controlled simultaneously by the rotation of the cam gear,thereby resulting in an apparatus that has fewer components.

Further, the rack 123 is engaged to the cylindrical gear 114, whichtransmits power to the transporter 145, and the detecting switches 124aand 124b are provided to detect the pattern 125 on the rack 123 inaccordance with the sliding motion of the rack 123, making it possibleto detect the angle of rotation of the loading gear 140, which issupported on the elevator, a sliding component, with the result thatthere is no need to provide electrical wiring on the moving portiongiving an apparatus in which open circuits occur less readily andreliability is increased.

Further, the movement of the cartridge in horizontal directions and thecartridge hold and release actions are driven by a single motor 110,anti the movement of the cartridge in the vertical direction and theclamping of the cartridge to the player are driven by a single motor115, resulting in an apparatus that is lest costly and smaller.

Further the mechanism for the horizontal transport of the cartridgemoves vertically, so the requisite height of the apparatus can be madeequal to the sum of the height of the portion housing the cartridges andthe height of the player, resulting in a reduction in the cubic volumeof the apparatus.

Further, the cartridges can be loaded so that the label surface of theloaded cartridge is at approximately the same height as the surface ofthe control panel, so that the titles inscribed on the label surface canbe seen directly from the control panel, making the apparatus moreconvenient to use.

Further, the tapered portions are provided above and below the rear edgeof the cartridge holder, so that even if the cartridge that has beentransported from the player to the standby position may have, in thecourse of its horizontal motion, been displaced upward or downward fromits intended height, it will be guided by butt contact established withthe tapered portion of the other cartridge holders being held in thestandby position, and will be held accurately in the standby position,thereby assuring the accurate operation of the apparatus.

Further, the eject lever allows cartridges in any of a plurality ofcartridge holders to be ejected, so that any cartridge loaded in standbyposition 200a can be ejected and replaced even while another disc isbeing played, making the apparatus more convenient to use.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of theautomatic disc-changing apparatus of a second embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing the mechanismthat holds the cartridge holder of the apparatus of FIG. 20; FIG. 22 isa conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing the structure andoperation of the apparatus of FIG. 20; and FIG. 23 through FIG. 26 areconceptual diagrams for the purpose of describing the operation of theapparatus of FIG. 20.

FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing thestructure and operation of the cartridge holder; FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 areconceptual diagrams for the purpose of describing the structure andoperation of a holding mechanism for transport 100c used to thetransport and hold the cartridge holder.

Further, FIG. 30 through FIG. 33 are conceptual diagrams for the purposeof describing the operation of the elevating mechanism 100b inaccordance with the third embodiment; FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 are conceptualdiagrams for the purpose of describing the structure and operation of anexample of a duplicate insertion prevention mechanism; and FIG. 36 andFIG. 37 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describing thestructure and operation of a cartridge ejection mechanism.

The significance of the symbols used in the conceptual diagrams in FIG.22 through FIG. 37 is as given in FIG. 98. The mechanisms in the secondembodiment that are identical or equivalent to those in the firstembodiment are assigned the same symbols.

As shown in FIG. 20 through FIG. 33, the automatic disc-changingapparatus of the second embodiment comprises cartridge holders 103a,103b, 103c and 103d (103b to 103d are shown only in FIG. 30 through FIG.33) which hold respectively cartridges 91, 92, 93, and 94; a holdingmechanism for standby which holds cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and103d in a standby position 200a (identical with that shown, for example,in the first embodiment); a holding mechanism for transport 100c whichhold selectively any one of the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and103d for the purpose of transporting it; a transfer mechanism 100a whichmoves the holding mechanism for transport 100c horizontally to the frontand rear of the apparatus (directions DK); and an elevating mechanism100b which causes the cartridge holder 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d to movevertically (directions LM).

As shown in FIG. 27, the cartridge holder 103a comprises butt contactingportions 219a and 219b which establish butt contact with the uppersurface of the cartridge 91; a butt contacting portion 220 whichestablishes butt contact with the rear edge of the cartridge 91;engaging pins 221a and 221b which engage with engagement portions 208aand 208b of chucking arms 202 and 204 to be described below; andengagement springs 105a and 105b which engage engagement holes on eitherside of the cartridge 91 (of which only one hole 102a is shown in FIG.27).

Further, as shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, the cartridge holder 103a isprovided with a lock arm 222 supported so as to be capable of slidinghorizontally to the left and right (directions EF); and a spring 223that exerts a force outwardly into the lock arm 222. As shown in FIG.29, when the chucking arms 202 and 204 cause the cartridge holder 103ato release, the tips 222a and 222b of the lock arm 22 engagerespectively with the lock portions 224a and 224b provided on thechassis 5. The other cartridge holders 103b, 103c and 103d respectivelyhave a similar structure.

Further, as shown in in FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, the cartridge holder 103a,which is provided with an ejection mechanism, comprises an ejectionlever 237 being in butt contact with rear edge 91a of the cartridge 91;a spring 238 which applies a force causing the ejection lever 237 torotate clockwise around a shaft 237 provided on the cartridge holder103a; and a butt contact portion 239 which rotates with the ejectionlever 237 and regulates the rotary motion of the ejection lever 237.This ejection mechanism further comprises a slider member 240 which ispressed by a press switch 243 provided on the chassis 5 so as to slidefreely horizontally to the front and rear (directions DK); an spring 242that draws the slider member 240 horizontally to the front (directionK); a butt contact portion 241 which establishes butt contact with thebutt contact portion 239 of the ejection lever 237 and brings theejection lever 237 to the initial position shown in FIG. 38; and a buttcontact portion 244 which establishes butt contact with the butt contactportion 239 of the ejection lever 237 and brings the ejection lever 237to the ejected position shown in FIG. 37. The other cartridge holders103b, 103c and 103d have an identical structure.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, and in FIG. 30 through FIG. 33, theelevating mechanism 100b of the second embodiment comprises an elevator(elevator platform) 701 capable of moving vertically (directions LM)along an elevating guide member (not shown) which is fixed to thechassis 5; a motor 702 for making the elevator 701 ascend or descend;and a movement-transmitting mechanism that uses the rotational drivingpower of the motor 702 to cause the elevator 701 to ascend or descend.

This movement-transmitting mechanism comprises a gear 703 fitted to arotating shaft of the motor 702; a gear 225 which meshes with the gear703; and elevating arms 228 and 229 which form a pantograph mechanism.The elevating arms 228 and 229 are linked to each other by means of therotating shaft 704. The elevating arm 228 freely rotates around a shaft705 which is fixed to the chassis 5. The elevating arm 228 is providedat one end with an engaging pin 227 engaging with a cam groove 226formed in the gear 225, and at the other end with a rotatable engagingpin 223 which engages slidably in a cam hole 232 which is elongatedhorizontally to the front and rear (directions DK) in the elevator 701.On the other hand, the elevating arm 229 is provided at one end with arotatable engaging pin 221 which engages slidably in cam hole 230 whichis elongated horizontally to the front and rear (directions DK) in thechassis 5, and the other end of the elevating arm 229 is linkedrotatably with the elevator 701. Thus the rotational driving power ofthe motor 702 is converted into the vertical motion of the pantographmechanism through an engagement groove 226 of a rotating gear 225 and anengaging pin 227 of the elevating arm 228, thereby causing the elevator701 to ascend and descend.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20 through FIG. 26, the transfer mechanism100a of the second embodiment comprises a horizontal guide 143 formed onthe elevator 701; a transporter 145 supported so as to be capable ofsliding horizontally to the front and rear (direction DK) along thehorizontal guide 143; a loading gear 140 provided with an engaging pin157 which engages with a cam hole 215 formed in the transporter 145 andelongated horizontally to the left and right (directions EF); and a gear142, a cylindrical. gear 114, a gear 112, a worm 111 and a motor 110,which impart rotary motion to the loading gear 140. Although theapparatus of the second embodiment is different from that of the firstembodiment in that the cam hole 215 does not have a Y-shapedconfiguration, the transfer mechanism 100a of the second embodiment isidentical with the mechanism of the first embodiment in terms of themotion imparted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20 through FIG. 26, the holding mechanism fortransport 100c of the second embodiment comprises a chucking base 201supported so as to be capable of sliding horizontally on the transporter145 to the front and rear (directions DK); a chucking arm 202 axiallysupported so as to rotate freely around a pivot 203 provided on thechucking base 201; and a chucking arm 204 axially supported so as torotate freely around a pivot 205 provided on the chucking base 201. Onone end of the chucking arm 202 is formed a cam groove 202a into whichthe engaging pin 204a of the chucking arm 204 is engaged.

Further, the holding mechanism for transport 100c comprises an engagingpin 206 implanted in the chucking arm 202 and engaging with a cam hole207 provided on the transporter 145; an engagement portions 208a and208b provided respectively on the chucking arms 202 and 204; pressportions 209a and 209b formed respectively on the chucking arms 202 and204; holding portions 210a and 210b formed respectively on the chuckingarms 202 and 204; and butt contact portions 211a and 211b formedrespectively on chucking arms 202 and 204. As shown in FIG. 22, the camhole 207 extends horizontally to the front and rear (directions DK), andconsists of two linear portions aligned on the same line and acurvilinear portion joined to the two linear portions.

The chucking base 201 is further provided with a cam hole 212 whichengages with the engaging pin 157 implanted in the loading gear 140 andis arranged so as to overlap the cam hole 215 of the transporter 145.The cam hole 212 comprises a linear portion 245; an arcuate portion 213which, when the chucking base 201 is in the standby position 200a, formsa part of a concentric circle with center 141 of the loading gear 140(having as its radius the distance between the center 141 and theengaging pin 157); and an arcuate portion 214 which, when the chuckingbase 201 is in the recording and reproducing position 200b, forms a partof a concentric circle with the center 141 of the loading gear 140(having as its radius the distance between center 141 and the engagingpin 157). In FIG. 23 through FIG. 26, the curvature of the arcuateportions 213 and 214 of the cam hole 212 is drawn in an exaggeratedmanner

The holding mechanism for transport 100c further comprises a spring 216engaging with the transporter 145 and the chucking arm 201; a buttcontact portion 217 provided on the chassis 5; and a butt contactportion 218 provided on the chassis 5.

Further, the automatic disc-changing apparatus of the second embodimentis provided with a duplicate insertion prevention mechanism forcartridges, as shown in FIG. 34 and FIG. 35. The duplicate insertionprevention mechanism for cartridges comprises a duplicate insertionprevention plate 234 rotatable around a horizontal shaft 234a at the topof each of the cartridge insertion ports 414. When, as shown in FIG. 34,the cartridge holder 103a is in the standby position, the duplicateinsertion prevention plate 234 is in a horizontal attitude with its endin butt contact with the upper portion of the cartridge holder 103a, andwhen as shown in FIG. 35, the cartridge holder 103a has been caused bythe transfer mechanism 100c to separate from the standby position,spring 235 or gravitational action causes the duplicate insertionprevention plate 234 to assume a vertical attitude. The duplicateinsertion prevention mechanism further comprises a regulating member236, which is fixed deeper within the apparatus than the duplicateinsertion prevention plate 234 and by establishing butt contact with theduplicate insertion prevention plate 234, regulates the range of itsrotation.

Following is a description of the operation of the second embodiment onthe basis of FIG. 22 through FIG. 26 and FIG. 30 through FIG. 33.

First of all, the cartridges are loaded into the cartridge holder instandby position 200a. At this point the holding mechanism for transport100c is in the standby position as shown in FIG. 23, and the chuckingarms 202 and 204 are open. The height of the elevator 701 at this pointis as shown in FIG. 30.

Next, when the user tarns a reproduction switch (not shown) to the ONposition, the motor 110 is started by an instruction from the controller159; its rotational driving power is transmitted via the worm 111, thecylindrical gear 114 and the gear 142 provided on the elevator 701 tothe loading gear 140. Thus the loading gear 140 rotates counterclockwise(direction B); transporter 145 which engages the cam hole 215 in theengaging pin 157, moves along the horizontal guide 143 to the rear ofthe apparatus (direction D); and, as shown in FIG. 24, the transporter145 and the chucking base 201 are brought by the compressive force ofthe spring 216 to a positional relationship in which the linear portion245 of the cam hole 212 and the cam hole 215 of the transporter 145overlap. At this time the cam hole 207 provided on the transporter 145and the engaging pin 206 of the chucking arm 202 which engagestherewith, cause the chucking arm 202 and the chucking arm 204 to rotateinward (direction e and direction g respectively) around pivots 202b and204b respectively, until, as shown in FIG. 24, the cartridge holder 103awhich is in standby position 200a (not shown in FIG. 24) is in theholding state.

If the loading gear 140 is then rotated further counterclockwise(direction B), the engaging pin 157 of the loading gear 140, which isengaged with the cam hole 212 of the chucking base 201 and the cam hole215 of the transporter 145, guides the transporter 145 along thehorizontal guide slot 143 until it reaches above the recording andreproducing position 200b on the player 1. When the transporter 145 hasmoved to above the player 1, it establishes butt contact with the buttcontact portion 218 of the chucking base 201. Then, as shown in FIG. 25,the engaging pin 157 reaches the end of the arcuate portion 214 of thecam hole 212 (termination of direction F in the drawing), and the spring216 holds the transporter 145 and the chucking base 201 at anintermediate point. When the transporter 145 reaches this position, itis detected by the position detecting switch (not shown) and the motor110 stops. At this time the positions of the elevator 701 and thetransporter 145 are as shown in FIG. 31.

Next, as shown in FIG. 32, the motor 702 (shown only in FIG. 20) rotatesthe cam gear 225 counterclockwise in direction U, and the pantographmechanism, which is provided with the elevating arm 228 having anengaging pin engaged with the cam groove 226 and the elevating arm 229,causes the elevator 701 having the horizontal slot 143 to descend alongwith transporter 145 and the cartridge holder 103a to the loadedposition of the player (not shown), then causing the cartridge 91 torest on the player 1 along with the cartridge holder 103a. Thereafter, acartridge clamping mechanism similar to the one described in the firstembodiment presses and holds the cartridge to the player 1 and the motor702 is stopped. During the vertical motion of the cartridge holder 103a,the gear 142 slides in the axial direction of the cylindrical gear 114,while remaining enmeshed therewith.

Next, the motor 110 is restarted at the state shown in FIG. 25, andcauses the loading gear 140 to rotate in direction B so that theengaging pin 157, which acts through the cam hole 215 of the transporter145, moves the transporter 145 horizontally to the rear (direction D).But since the chucking base 201 is in butt contact with the butt contactportion 218, regulating its motion horizontally to the rear (directionD), the engaging pin 157 moves along the arcuate portion 214 of the camhole 212 in the chucking base 201, and the transporter 145 and thechucking base 201 move horizontally to the front and rear (directionsDK). At this time the cam hole 207 of the transporter 145 and theengaging pin 206 provided on the end of the chucking arm 202 cause thechucking arms 202 and 204 to rotate outward (direction f and direction hrespectively), releasing engagement with the cartridge holder 103a. Theangle of rotation of the loading gear 140 is detected by the detectingswitch (not shown) and the motor 110 is stopped.

Following is a description of the cartridge-changing operation by whichthe cartridge 91 is replaced by the cartridge 93.

When the user presses the cartridge change switch (not shown), anoperation reverse of that above described in which the cartridge isloaded to the player is carried out. First, the loading gear 140 isdriven clockwise (direction C); the transporter 145 is drivenhorizontally to the front (direction K) by the spring 216; the chuckingarms 202 and 204 rotate inward (direction e and direction grespectively), causing the transporter 145 to be linked with thecartridge holder 103a; the cartridge holder 103a, after movingvertically to the prescribed height, moves horizontally to the Front(direction K); and the cartridge duplicate insertion prevention member234 is flipped up by the cartridge holder 103a, and the cartridge holder103a returns to its original standby position.

Then the chucking arms 202 and 204 are released, separating thetransporter 145 and the cartridge holder 103a. As shown in FIG. 29, thelock arm 222 are released, causing the pins 222a and 222b to engage withthe lock portions 224a and 224b fixed on the chassis 5.

Then, with the chucking arms 202 and 204 in the released state, themotor 702 is started and the cam gear 225 is driven. The pantographmechanism causes the elevator 701, which has horizontal slot 143, toascend and causes the transporter 145 to move to the position of thecartridge holder 103c on which cartridge 93 is resting. The achievementof this position is detected by the position detecting switch (notshown), and motor 702 is stopped. This state is shown in FIG. 33. Thecartridge 93 is then loaded into the player 1 in a manner similar tothat used in the case of the cartridge 91.

Following is a description of changing of cartridges in the standbyposition 200a with reference to FIG. 36 and FIG. 37.

In FIG. 36, an ejection lever 237 is forced by the spring 238 to rotateclockwise. The butt contact portion 241 of the slider 240 establishesbutt contact with butt portion 239 of the ejection lever 237, regulatingthe rotary motion of the ejection lever 237. The slider 240 is forced bythe spring 242 to move horizontally to the front (direction i), but theslider 240 establishes butt contact with the eject button 243 and isregulated in position thereof.

If at this point the user presses the eject button 243, the motion ofthe eject button is transmitted by the butt contact portion 243a of theeject button 243 to the slider 240 and the slider 240 moves horizontallyto the rear (direction j) as shown in FIG. 37. The butt contact portion241 of the slider 240 separates from the butt contact portion 239 of theejection lever 237, and the ejection lever 237 is caused by the spring238 to rotate clockwise. The ejection lever 237 then presses against therear edge 91a of the cartridge 91 and the cartridge 91 is ejected.Thereafter, the ejection lever 237 establishes butt contact with thebutt contact portion 244 of the slider 240, regulating its rotation.Further, as a result of the rotation of the ejection lever 237, the buttcontact portion 241 of the slider 240 establishes butt contact with theejection lever 237, regulating its motion horizontally to the front(direction i).

If the user then withdraws the ejected cartridge 91 from the apparatusand inserts into the apparatus another replacement cartridge 95, theejection lever 237 establishes butt contact with the rear edge of thecartridge 95. The action of pressing it inward causes the ejection lever237 to rotate counterclockwise, separating the butt contact portion 239from the butt contact portion 244 so that the slider 240 is moved by thespring 242 horizontally to the front (direction i). The butt contactportion 239 then establishes butt contact with the butt contact portion241, regulating the rotary motion of the ejection lever 237 that wasimparted by the spring 238 and returning to the initial state.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 38 through FIG. 48 show yet another example of an automaticdisc-changing apparatus in accordance with the present invention, whichcan be applied, for example in the first embodiment above described.FIG. 38 is a schematic plan view showing the structure of the thirdembodiment, in which the upper part of the drawing is the front surfaceof the apparatus. FIG. 39 through FIG. 41 are side views of theapparatus shown in FIG. 38; FIG. 39 is a side view from outside thechassis 5, FIG. 40 is a side view with the chassis 5 removed, and FIG.41 ia a side view with the chassis 5 and the slide cam removed. FIG. 42through FIG. 45 are descriptive diagrams for the purpose of describingthe operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 38. FIG. 46 and FIG. 47 areside views of the clamping mechanism that forms a part of the apparatusof the third embodiment; and FIG. 48 is a conceptual diagram for thepurpose of describing the operation of the third embodiment, and inwhich the significance of the symbols used is as given in FIG. 98.

As shown in FIG. 38 through FIG. 41 and FIG. 48, the apparatus of thethird embodiment comprises a chassis 501; slide cams 502 and 503 mountedslidably on the chassis 501; an elevator 504 engaged with the slide cams502 and 503; and cartridge holders 505, 506, 507 and 508 capable ofbeing loaded into and unloaded from the elevator 504 and each capable ofaccepting the loading of the cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94.

As shown in FIG. 42 through FIG. 45, there are implanted in each of thecartridge holders 505, 506, 507 and 508, the engaging pins 509, 510, 511and 512 respectively for the purpose of pressing downward on thecartridge holder.

In the elevator 504 are implanted the engaging pins 513a, 513b, 514a and514b, and the slide cams 502 and 503 are provided with the stepwise camholes 515a, 515b, 516a and 516b which are inserted through the engagingpins 513a, 513b, 514a and 514b. The engaging pins 513a and 513b of theelevator 504 also engage respectively with elongated cam holes 551 and552, which are formed in the vertical direction in the chassis 501; andthe engaging pins 514a and 514b of the elevator 504 engage respectivelywith elongated cam holes 553 and 554, which are formed in the verticaldirection in the chassis 501 (shown only in FIG. 48).

Further, the slide cam 502 is provided with cam holes 517a and 517b, andthe slide cam 503 is provided with cam holes 518a and 518b. Each of thecam holes 517a, 517b, 518a and 518b comprise respectively a horizontalportion 517c, 517d, 518c and 518d, which is narrow and elongated in thehorizontal direction; an inclined portion 517e, 517f, 518e and 518f thatinclines downward from one end of the horizontal portion; and a circularrecessed portion 519a, 519b, 520a and 520b connected to this inclinedportion.

Further, there are implanted on the side surface of the player 1engaging pins 521a, 521b, 522a and 522b, each of which are insertedthrough the cam holes 517a, 517b, 518a and 518b for the purpose offlexibly supporting the player 1 on the chassis 501. The engaging pins521a, 521b, 522a and 522b inserted respectively through the cam holes517a, 517b, 518a and 518b are also inserted respectively throughvibration-absorbing dampers 523a, 523b, 523c and 523d. Further, theengaging pins 521a, 521b, 522a and 522b are respectively connected toone end of springs 524a, 524b, 524c and 524d, the other end of which isconnected to the chassis 501.

Further, the cam holes 525 and 526 are formed in the upper portions ofthe slide cams 502 and 503 respectively.

The apparatus of the third embodiment further comprises clamping plates527 and 528 (528 being shown only in FIG. 48), which are mounted onchassis 501 so as to be capable of sliding vertically (direction LM).There are implanted in clamping plates 527 and 528, engaging pins 529and 530 (530 being shown only in FIG. 48), which engage respectively inthe cam holes 525 and 526 of the slide cams 502 and 503. There isfurther implanted in clamping plate 527, engaging pins 527a and 527b,which engage with the cam holes 555 and 556 elongated in the verticaldirection on the chassis 501, and there is implanted in clamping plate528, engaging pins 528a and 528b, which engage with the cam holes 557and 558 elongated in the vertical direction on the chassis 501.

Further, as shown in FIG. 38, FIG. 46 and FIG. 48, the player 1 isprovided with rotatably supported stoppers 531a and 531b; pins 532implanted in stoppers 531a and 531b respectively; pins 533 implanted atappropriate places on the player 1 (only the one engaging with thestopper 531b being shown in the drawings); springs 534, of which one endis connected to the pin 532 and the other end is connected to the pin533; a butt contact portion 535 formed in the stoppers 531a and 531b(only the one relating to the stopper 531b being shown in the drawings);and pins 536 implanted at appropriate places on the player 1 (only theone engaging with stopper 531b being shown in the drawings).

Following is a description of the operation of the apparatus of thethird embodiment.

FIG. 42 shows the state immediately after the cartridge holder 505 hasbeen returned from the recording and reproducing position 200b on theplayer 1 to the uppermost portion of the standby position 200a. At thistime, the slide cams 502 and 503 are at the front of the apparatus(right side of the drawing); the engaging pins 513a, 513b, 514a and 514bimplanted in the elevator 504 are in the uppermost portion of the camholes 515a, 515b, 516a and 516b of the slide cams 502 and 503. At thesame time, the engaging pins 521a, 521b, 522a and 522b of the player 1are sandwiched respectively with the cam holes 517a, 517b, 518a and 518bof the slide cams 502 and 503 and the lower edges of the clamping plates527 and 528.

Following is a description of the operation when the cartridge holder508, which is loaded in the lowest position in the apparatus, is loadedinto the player 508. As shown in FIG. 43, the slide cams 502 and 503 aredriven to the left (direction D) by a drive mechanism comprising amotor, a gear mechanism, a cam mechanism and so on. This results in theengagement of the cam holes 515a, 515b, 516a and 516b with the engagingpins 513a, 513b, 514a and 514b and the engagement of the cam holes 551,552, 553 and 554, which are elongated in the vertical direction on thechassis 501 with the engaging pins 513a, 513b, 514a and 514b, and theelevator 504 descends from the position shown in FIG. 42 to that shownin FIG. 43. In the third embodiment, however, because the height(thickness) of the apparatus has been kept as small as possible, theheight of the lower surface of the cartridge holder 508 when in thestandby position 200a will be slightly below that of the upper surfaceof the turntable 6, even in the state shown in FIG. 43, so that thecartridge holder 508 and the turntable 6 will be superimposed in thehorizontal plane. At this point, the engagement of the engaging pins 529and 530 with the cam holes 525 and 526 respectively causes the clampingplate 527 and 528 to descend, pressing the engaging pins 521 and 522downward against the compressive force of the spring 524, so that thetransport mechanism (which can be moved due to the transport mechanismas described, for example, in the first and second embodiments)transports the cartridge holder 508 to the position of the player 1shown in FIG. 44. Since, due to the clamping plate 527, the player 1 isin a position below the positioned for recording and reproducing, andthus the cartridge holder 508 does not interfere with the turntable 6even if it is transported horizontally.

If the slide cams 502 and 503 are then caused to move furtherhorizontally to the rear (direction D), the engagement of the engagingpins 513a, 513b, 514a and 514b with the cam holes 515a, 515b, 516a and516b, respectively, causes the elevator 504 to further descend. At thesame time the engagement of the engaging pins 529 and 530 with the camholes 525 and 526, respectively, causes the clamping plates 527 and 528to move upward.

As the cartridge holder 508 descends, the engaging pin 512 establishesbutt contact with the lower edge 537 of the stopper 531, causing thestopper 531 to rotate clockwise. This causes the direction of forceexerted by the spring 534 and the direction of rotation of the stopper531 to coincide from some intermediate point, and the stopper 531 clampsthe cartridge holder 508 to the player 1. Again, to eject the cartridgeholder 508, the slide cams 502 and 503 are caused to move horizontallyto the front (direction K), the engagement of the engaging pins 513a,513b, 514a and 514b with the cam holes 515a, 515b, 516a and 516b,respectively, causes the elevator 504 to move upward (direction L), and,as shown in FIG. 47, the engaging pin 512 establishes butt contact withthe upper edge 538 of the stopper 531, causing the stopper 531 to rotatecounterclockwise. This causes the direction of rotation of the stopper531 and the direction of force exerted by the spring 534 to coincidefrom some intermediate point, after which the rotation of the stopper531 is stopped by the butt contact between the butt contact portion 535and the pin 536, and the stopper 531 is positioned and fixed on theplayer 1.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing the structure of the automaticdisc-changing apparatus of a fourth embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 50 is a front view showing an example of a display on a displaypanel 603 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 49; and FIG. 51 is a flow chartfor the purpose of describing the operation of the apparatus shown inFIG. 49.

The structure of the apparatus of the fourth embodiment, like that ofthe first and third embodiments above described, forms a part of anapparatus capable of selectively transporting cartridges from thestandby position to the recording and reproducing position, or from therecording and reproducing position to the standby position.

As shown in FIG. 49, the apparatus of the fourth embodiment is providedwith an audio signal storage circuitry 601 for recording audio signalinformation read from a disc (such as is accommodated, for example, inthe cartridge 91) by means of a pickup 7 of the player 1; an informationstorage circuitry 602 for recording information on the contents of thedisc, such as titles of works, names of performers, duration ofperformance, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the TOC); and the displaypanel 603 comprising a liquid crystal display 603a capable of displayingcartridge loading status and disc TOC for each of the cartridge holders505, 506, 507 and 508. The apparatus of the fourth embodiment is furtherprovided with detecting switches 209a, 209b, 209c and 209d for detectingthe presence or absence of, respectively, the cartridges 91, 92, 93 and94 loaded in the cartridge holders 505, 506, 507 and 508; an indicatorlamps 604, 605, 606 and 607 capable of changing the color emitted or themethod of lighting in accordance with cartridge status; and a controller159 controlling the operation of the various mechanisms of theapparatus.

Following is a description of the operation of the apparatus. First, ifthe cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 are loaded, respectively, into each ofthe cartridge holders 505, 506, 507 and 508, the loaded cartridges 91,92, 93 and 94 are loaded sequentially into the player 1, the pickup 7reads the TOC recorded on the disc in each of the cartridges and storesthis TOC in the information storage circuitry 602. A portion of this TOCis displayed in the display panel 603, either automatically or asdesignated by the user.

Next, the cartridge designated for reproduction is placed on the player1, and the audio signal compressively recorded on the disc is read bythe pickup 7. The audio signal information that has been read is storedin the audio signal storage circuitry 601 and the audio signalinformation in audio signal storage circuitry 601 is expanded andconverted into an audio signal and output to for example an audio outputmeans (not shown in the drawing).

FIG. 50 shows the display status of information on the titles of workson each cartridge when a sequential playing of the cartridges 91 through93 is complete and the cartridge 94 is being played. The controller 159senses that the cartridge 94 is being played by the on or off status ofthe switches 209a, 209b, 209c and 209d, and causes the indicator lamp607 at the bottom of the display panel 603 to light with a colordifferent from that of the other indicator lamps 604, 605 and 606. Forexample, the color emitted by the indicator lamps 604, 605 and 606corresponding to the cartridges 91, 92 and 93, which are not beingplayed, could be green, while the color emitted by the indicator lamp607, corresponding to the cartridge 94, which is being played, could bered.

Next, when the cartridge 91 is ejected, the status of the switch 209achanges, the controller 159 senses the absence of a cartridge in thecartridge holder 505, the TOC of the cartridge 91 is erased from theinformation storage circuitry 602, and character information 608 on thepanel display 603 changes to "NO DISC" or other message to the effectthat no cartridge is loaded. The user can determine by looking at thedisplay panel 603 that the cartridge 91, which had been loaded in thecartridge holder 505 has been ejected, and is not currently loaded inthe cartridge holder 505.

When the cartridge 92, which was loaded in the cartridge holder 506, isejected and a new cartridge 95 is loaded in the cartridge holder 506,the controller 159 senses from the change in current-carrying status ofthe switch 209b that a new cartridge 95 has been loaded in the cartridgeholder 506. The TOC recorded on the cartridge 95 is then read anddisplayed on the display panel 603, while reproduction of the audiosignal of the cartridge 92 continues without interruption.

This display operation is carried out in the sequence shown in FIG. 51.First, when the cartridge 91 is loaded on the player 1 (step 21), theaudio signal that is recorded on the disc in cartridge 91 is stored inaudio signal storage circuitry 601 (step 22), and the amount of storedresidual audio signal M is increased to equal to or greater than apreviously established first reference amount F (step 23).

At this point, provided there has been no replacement of cartridgesloaded in the standby position (step 24), it is determined whether theamount of stored residual audio signal M is less than a previouslyestablished second reference amount E (step 31). If M is less than E,the operation returns to step 22 and the storing of the audio signalcontinues, while if M is equal to or greater than E, the audio signal isexpanded and the sound is reproduced (step 32).

If, on the other hand, there has been a replacement of the cartridgesloaded in the standby position (step 24), the audio signal from thecartridge 91 in the audio signal storage circuitry 601 continues to beexpanded and reproduced (step 25) while the cartridge being played isreturned to the standby position (step 26), newly inserted cartridge 95is placed in the loading position on player 1 (step 27), its TOC is read(step 28), the newly inserted cartridge is returned to the standbyposition (step 29), and the cartridge 91, which was being played, isagain transported to the player 1 (step 30). Then, based on a judgmentthe residual amount M of the audio signal stored in audio signal storagecircuitry 601 is less than reference value E (step 31), reproduction iscontinued.

The first reference amount F is a value corresponding to the time duringwhich the cartridge 91 being played is transported to the standbyposition, new cartridge 95 is transported to the player 1, the pickup 7reads the TOC of the new cartridge 95, the new cartridge 95 istransported to the standby position, and the cartridge 91 previouslybeing played is transported to the player 1 and the audio signal fromthe disc in the cartridge 91 is read by the pickup 7. Residual amount Mis an amount corresponding the length of the sound time when the signalstored in audio signal storage circuitry 601 is expanded and convertedto sound. The second reference amount E is an amount corresponding tothe time required for the pickup 7, which has been inactive during theinterval when the signal stored in audio signal storage circuitry 601 isbeing expanded and reproduced, to be reactivated and read theinformation on the disc. During normal reproduction, the pickup 7 readsthe signal periodically, comparing the residual amount M stored in audiosignal storage circuitry 601 with standard amounts F and E.

During the period from the time at which the new cartridge 95 has beeninserted into the cartridge holder 506 until storage of the TOC of thecartridge 95 in the information storage circuitry 602 has beencompleted, a message to the effect that a new cartridge is loaded, suchas "NEW DISC" shown for the display 610 in FIG. 50, appears. The usercan determine by looking at the display panel 603 that a new disc hasbeen loaded.

The display panel 603 need not be limited to an apparatus for thedisplay of character information, and may be a television monitor orsimilar apparatus for image display. In such cases, in the event that acartridge in which recorded maps or other image information is loadedwhile the audio signal from any desired cartridge is being reproduced,the image information on the new cartridge can be displayed on thedisplay panel without interrupting the reproduction of the audio signal,in a similar manner to that described above.

As described above, it is possible, by means of the apparatus of thefourth embodiment, when a new cartridge is loaded into a cartridgeholder, to return the cartridge being played to the standby positionwhile continuing the reproduction of the audio signal from it, anddisplay on the display panel the TOC from the newly inserted cartridgewithout interrupting the sound input, thereby achieving an apparatusthat is more convenient to use.

Further, a "NO DISC" message or similar character information appears onthe display panel corresponding to the cartridge holder from which acartridge has been ejected, and when a new cartridge is loaded, a "NEWDISC" message or similar character information appears on the displaypanel corresponding to the cartridge holder into which a cartridge hasbeen loaded, resulting in an apparatus that is more convenient to use.Further, once cartridges are loaded into the cartridge holder andtransported to the player, the indicator lamps corresponding tocartridges from which the audio signal is not being reproduced blink onand off, allowing the user to determine by the blinking of the indicatorlamps that the cartridge in the corresponding cartridge holder has notyet been played, and when it is proposed select a new cartridge to beplayed next, selection of the new cartridge is facilitated, and anapparatus that is more convenient to use is achieved.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 52 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc-chucking apparatus of a fifth embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 53 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a disc-chuckingapparatus of the fifth embodiment when a disc is chucked; and FIG. 54 isa vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc-chucking apparatus ofthe fifth embodiment just before a disc is released from it. Thoseportions that are the same as or equivalent to those shown in theconventional apparatus shown in FIG. 89 through FIG. 93 are assigned thesame symbols and their description is omitted.

In the drawings, a reference numeral 1001 designates a core of a softmagnetic material that forms a part of turntable 1028; 1002 a rotaryspindle driven by a motor 1030 and rotating integrally with theturntable 1028; 1003 a chucking magnet of single magnetic domainstructure, capable of movement in the axial direction of the rotaryspindle 1002 and magnetized in the axial direction of the rotary spindle1002; 1004 a transfer member which is engaged with the chucking magnet1003 and which is driven manually or by a motor, solenoid or otheractuator in the vertical direction in the drawing to assume the stateshown in FIG. 52 and, FIG. 53 or FIG. 54; 1005 a bearing holder securinga bearing 1029 which supports the turntable 1028; and 1006 a compressedspring that removes axial and radial play from the bearing 1029. Theturntable 1028 itself may be of soft magnetic material.

The cartridge 1031 is held in a holder similar to that shown in FIG. 93.FIG. 53 shows an upper plate 1032a, a lower plate 1032b and a cover1032c of the holder 1032, however the holder 1032 is not shown in FIG.54 and many of the subsequent drawings.

In a disc-chucking apparatus such as that described above, the loadingof the disc to the recording and reproducing apparatus and the recordingand reproducing process are effected in the same way as conventionalapparatus.

Following is a description of the process by which the disc 1023 iswithdrawn from the recording and reproducing apparatus. In FIG. 53, themagnetic flux of the chucking magnet 1003 permeates the core 1001 toreach the clamping plate 1042, attracting the disc 1023 and holding itagainst the turntable 1028. Next, by operating the eject switch, thetransfer member 1004 is driven, either manually or by a motor or otheractuator, moving downward in the drawing, that is to say in a directionsuch that the chucking magnet 1003 is distanced from the turntable 1028,to reach the state shown in FIG. 54. This leaves a gap between thechucking magnet 1003 and the core 1001 producing an increase in magneticresistance, and the magnetic flux passing the core 1001 is reduced. As aresult the attractive force of the disc 1023 is reduced. If, in thisstate, the hook 1036 in FIG. 93 is rotated clockwise, releasing theengagement piece 1035, the holder 1032 will thereafter be flipped upwardin the same way as in conventional apparatus.

Sixth Embodiment

The fifth embodiment above shows a case in which the turntable 1028 isformed of a soft magnetic material, or in which the turntable 1028 isformed integrally with the core 1001 made of soft magnetic material,along with the adjacent movable chucking magnet 1003 and the transfermember 1004 which causes it to move. However, the disc chuckingapparatus of the sixth embodiment comprises a coil of electricallyconductive material, which is provided around a turntable formed of asoft magnetic material or a turntable formed integrally with a core madeof soft magnetic material; a power supply circuit thereto; and a switchthereof. Following is a description of the sixth embodiment withreference to FIG. 55, which is a vertical cross-sectional view showingthe structure of the disc-chucking apparatus of the sixth embodiment,wherein those portions that are the same as or equivalent to those shownin the fifth embodiment are assigned the same symbols and theirdescription is omitted.

In the figure, reference numeral 1007 designates a coil of electricallyconductive material provided around the periphery of the turntable1028;1008 a power supply circuit for supplying the electrical power to thecoil 1007; and 1009 a switch for switching on and off the coil 1007.

Following is a description of the operation thereof. The disc 1023 isloaded to the recording and reproducing apparatus by means of thedisc-loading apparatus shown in FIG. 93. At this time the switch 1009 isturned on, allowing current to flow from the power supply circuit 1008to the coil 1007 and producing a magnetic flux around the coil 1007.This magnetic flux passes through the core 1001, attracting the clampingplate 1042 of the disc 1023 and holding the disc 1023 to the turntable1028. Thereafter, recording and reproducing of signals is effected inthe same way as in conventional apparatus.

Following is a description of the process by which the disc 1023 iswithdrawn from the recording and reproducing apparatus. In FIG. 55, theuser switched off the switch 1009 by operating the eject switch (notshown), and the current to the coil 1007 is interrupted. The magneticflux is reduced and the attractive force to the disc 1023 is alsoreduced. If in this state the hook 1036 in FIG. 93 rotates clockwise andrelease the piece 1035, the holder 1032 will thereafter be flippedupward in the same way as in conventional apparatus.

Seventh Embodiment

The sixth embodiment described above shows a case in which the discchucking apparatus comprises a coil 1007, which is provided around aturntable formed of a soft magnetic material or a turntable formedintegrally with a core made of soft magnetic material, and disposedcoaxially with turntable 1028; a power supply circuit 1008 thereto; anda switch 1009 thereof. However, in the seventh embodiment the discchucking apparatus comprises a turntable formed of a permanent magnet ofsingle magnetic domain structure or a turntable formed integrally from apermanent magnet of single magnetic domain, by press fitting, adhesion,insert molding or the like; a coil of electrically conductive materialaround the periphery of the turntable; a power supply circuit; and aswitch. Following is a description of the seventh embodiment withreference to FIG. 56, which is a vertical cross-sectional view showingthe structure of the disc-chucking apparatus of the seventh embodiment,and wherein those portions that are the same as or equivalent to thoseshown in the fifth and sixth embodiments are assigned the same symbolsand their description is omitted. FIG. 57 is a descriptive diagramshowing the magnetic flux in a disc-chucking apparatus of the seventhembodiment.

In the figures, a reference numeral 1010 designates a chucking magnetwhich replaces the core 1001 in the fifth embodiment.

In the disc-chucking apparatus such as that described above, the loadingof the disc to the recording and reproducing apparatus and the recordingand reproducing process are effected in the same way as in theconventional apparatus.

Following is a description of the process by which the disc 1023 iswithdrawn from the recording and reproducing apparatus. When the userturns on the switch 1009 by operating the eject switch as shown in FIG.56, current is passed through the coil 1007 in the direction ofgeneration of magnetic flux (dotted lines), opposite to the direction ofmagnetization of the chucking magnet 1010 as shown in FIG. 57. Thisreduces the magnetic flux density in the chucking magnet 1010 and alsoreduces the attractive force to the disc 1023. If, in this state, thehook 1036 in FIG. 93 is rotated clockwise, releasing the piece 1035, theholder 1032 will thereafter be flipped upward in the same way as inconventional apparatus.

Eighth Embodiment

The seventh embodiment described above shows a case in which thedisc-chucking apparatus comprises a coil 1007, which is provided arounda turntable formed of a soft magnetic material or a turntable formedintegrally with a core made of soft magnetic material, and disposedcoaxially with turntable 1028; a power supply circuit 1008 thereto; anda switch 1009 thereof. However, in the eighth embodiment, thedisc-chucking apparatus comprises a turntable formed from a permanentmagnet or a turntable formed integrally from a permanent magneticmaterial, by press fitting, adhesion, insert molding or the like; apermanent magnet disposed in a position opposite to the turntable insuch a manner as to sandwich a disc; and a transfer member to move it.Following is a description of the eighth embodiment with reference toFIG. 58, which is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structureof the disc-chucking apparatus of the eighth embodiment when a disc ischucked in it. Those portions that are the same as or equivalent tothose shown in the fifth through seventh embodiments are assigned thesame symbols with their description omitted.

In the figure, reference numeral 1011 designates a disc-releasing magnetmagnetized in the same manner as the chucking magnet 1027 and having thesame magnetic pole as that of the chucking magnet 1027 disposedoppositely; and 1012 a transfer member that moves the disc releasingmagnet 1011.

These members are disposed within a partial cutout made in the upperplate 1032a of the holder 1032 in FIG. 93. The cover 1032c is formed soas to cover the upper plate 1032a and the magnet 1011, as well as thetransfer member 1012.

In a disc-chucking apparatus of the structure described above, theloading of the disc to the recording and reproducing apparatus andrecording and reproducing process are effected in the same way as inconventional apparatus.

Following is a description of the process by which disc 1023 iswithdrawn from the recording and reproducing apparatus. Operating theeject switch causes the transfer member 1012 to be driven, eithermanually or by a motor or other actuator, so that it moves toward thebottom of the drawing, that it, in the direction approaching closer tothe disc, as shown in FIG. 59. This causes the magnetic flux ofdisc-releasing magnet 1011 and the magnetic flux of the chucking magnet1027 cancel out each other within and in the periphery of the clampingplate 1042, reducing the attractive force to the clamping plate 1042 bythe chucking magnet 1027. If in this state the hook 1036 in FIG. 93rotates clockwise and releases the piece 1035, the holder 1032 willthereafter be flipped upward in the same way as in conventionalapparatus.

Ninth Embodiment

The eighth embodiment described above shows a turntable 1028 formed froma permanent magnet or a turntable formed integrally from a permanentmagnet 1027, by press fitting, adhesion, insert molding or the like; adisc-releasing magnet 1011 magnetized in the same way as a permanentmagnet 1027 disposed in a position opposite to the turntable 1028 issuch a manner as to sandwich a disc and having a magnetic pole facingthe chucking magnet 1027, in which the magnetic pole of thedisc-releasing magnet 1011 and a magnetic pole of the chucking magnet1027 racing each other are the same pole; and a transfer member to moveit. However, in the ninth embodiment the disc-chucking apparatuscomprises a turntable formed from a permanent magnet of single magneticdomain structure or a turntable formed integrally from a permanentmagnet of single magnetic domain structure, by press fitting, adhesion,insert molding or the like; a coil consisting of an electricallyconductive material disposed in a position opposite to the turntable insuch a manner as to sandwich a disc; an electrical power supply circuit;and a switch.

Following is a description of the ninth embodiment with reference toFIG. 60, which is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structureof the disc-chucking apparatus of the ninth embodiment, and whereinthose portions that are the same as or equivalent to those shown in thefifth through eighth embodiments are assigned the same symbols withtheir descriptions is omitted.

In a disc-chucking apparatus of the structure described above, theloading of the disc to the recording and reproducing apparatus andrecording and reproducing process are effected in the same way as inconventional apparatus.

Following is a description of the process by which the disc 1023 iswithdrawn from the recording and reproducing apparatus. In FIG. 60,operating the eject switch turns switch 1009 on, and as shown in FIG. 57generates a magnetic flux in the coil 1007 in the direction opposite tothe direction of magnetization of the disc release magnet 1003. Thiscauses the magnetic flux of coil 1007 and magnetic flux of chuckingmagnet 1027 to cancel out each other within and in the periphery of theclamping plate 1042, reducing the attractive force to the clamping plate1042 by the chucking magnet 1027. If in this state the hook 1036 in FIG.93 rotates clockwise and releases the piece 1035, the holder 1032 willthereafter be flipped upward in the same way as in conventionalapparatus.

Tenth Embodiment

FIG. 61 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the disc apparatus of atenth embodiment of the present invention, wherein those portions thatare the same as or equivalent to those of the conventional apparatusdescribed with reference to FIG. 89 through FIG. 93 are assigned thesame symbols with their descriptions omitted.

In the figure, a reference numeral 1020 designates a leaf spring formedof resilient material and secured to a base 1021; 1121 a pulley fixed bypress fitting to a spindle 1002; 1122 a motor fixed to the base 1021;1123 a pulley fixed by press fitting to the shaft of the motor 1122;1124 a belt suspended over pulleys 1121 and 1123; and 1125 a holder thatif fixed by press fitting to a bearing 1029 and supports the spindle1002.

Following is a description of the operation thereof. In FIG. 61, theleaf spring 1020 applies pushing force by one end thereof to push upwardthe spindle 1002. As a result of this pushing force, the upper face 1126of the pulley 1121 establishes butt contact with the inner race of thebearing 1029, determining the height position of the turntable 1028under normal conditions. Next, to rotate disc 1023, the rotary drivingpower of the motor 1122 is transmitted from the pulley 1123 by the belt1124 to the pulley 1121, and, by means of the chucking magnet 1109,rotates the turntable 1028 to which the disc 1023 is attracted and held.If the vibration in the vertical direction is imparted to the base 1021,the motor 1022 and the holder, which are rigidly secured to the base1021, receive vibration of virtually the same phase and amplitude, butin the tenth embodiment, since the vibration of the spindle 1002 isattenuated by the leaf spring, which constitutes a resilient material,the amplitude of the vibration is reduced.

It has been found that when the weight of the disc 1023 is 5 g! and thesum of the weights of the turntable 1028 and the magnet 1109 are 1.3 g!,it is desirable that the pushing force described above be set atapproximately 60 g! to 100 g!.

FIG. 62 is a graph plotting the vertical vibration of the disc 1023measured when the base 1021 was vibrated with the pushing force of theleaf spring 1020 set to 80 g!; and FIG. 62 is a graph plotting thevertical vibration of the disc 1023 measured when the base 1021 wasvibrated with the pushing force of the leaf spring 1020 set to 130 g!.From a comparison of FIG. 62 and FIG. 63, it can be seen that even ifaccount is taken of the characteristic frequency (180-200 Hz!) when thedisc 1023 and the turntable 1028 are clamped to the vibration source,the resonance of the disc 1023 is suppressed in FIG. 62.

Eleventh Embodiment

FIG. 64 is a plan view showing the turntable of the disc apparatus of aneleventh embodiment according to the present invention; and FIG. 65 is avertical cross-sectional view taken along a line S65--S65 in FIG. 64. Inthe figures, a reference numeral 1126 designates a yoke consisting of amagnetic material and clamped to the turntable 1028 by insert molding orthe like. The yoke 1126 comprises a flat portion 1127 disposed on thelower surface of the turntable 1028, and an end portion 1128, and aprojecting portion 1129. To the lower surface of the flat portion 1127is bonded a motor magnet 1113. Both the end portion 1128 and theprojecting portion 1129 extend upward through turntable 1028, at theouter and inner edges respectively of the flat portion 1127, reachingthe upper surface of the turntable 1028. The projecting portion 1129projects beyond turntable 1028. In this way, in the apparatus of theeleventh embodiment, the yoke 1126 extends from the lower surface of theturntable 1028 (the surface opposite to the surface holding the disc) tothe upper surface (the surface holding the disc).

A coil 1114 of the motor 1030 is disposed oppositely to the magnet 1113,which is bonded to the turntable 1028 and is clamped to the base 1021.The magnet 1113 forms a part of the motor 1030, and at the same timegenerates the magnetic flux required to attract and hold the disc. Thusthe magnetic flux 1130 shown in FIG. 65 is generated from the endportion 1128 and the projecting portion 1129 of the yoke 1126. Theclamping plate 1042, which consists of magnetic material, is thusattracted and held by means of the magnetic flux 1130, securing the disc1023 to the turntable 1028.

Since the base 1021 consists of magnetic material, it generates, bymeans of the magnetic flux of the magnet 1113, the force by which theturntable 1028 is attracted toward the base 1021, but the spring 1020pushes spindle 1002 upward against the attractive force, therebymaintaining a gap between the magnet 1113 and the coil 1114.

Twelfth Embodiment

FIG. 66 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus ofa twelfth embodiment of the present invention, wherein reference numeral1028 designates a turntable formed from magnetic material andmagnetized; 1132 a yoke secured to the interior of the turntable 1028 byinsert molding or the like; 1133 an upper magnet of the turntable 1028magnetized above yoke 1132; and 1134 a lower magnet of turntable 1028magnetized below yoke 1132. The upper magnet 1133 is formed with itsmagnetized surface on the upper surface of the turntable 1028, and thelower magnet 1133 is formed with its magnetized surface on the lowersurface of the turntable 1028.

Following is a description of the operation the disc apparatus. Theturntable 1028 is magnetized with any desired number of magnetic poles,for example, four as shown in FIG. 92, and since it is disposedoppositely to excitation coil 1114, which is bonded to base 1021 made ofa magnetic material, the action of the excitation of the excitation coil1114 and the magnetic flux of lower magnet 1134 causes the turntable1028 to rotate. At this time the yoke 1132 acts as a back yoke,preventing the demagnetization of magnetized turntable 1028. Thus theend portions on the opposite side to the magnetized surfaces formed onthe upper and lower surfaces of the turntable 1028 (positioned at thecenter of the turntable 1028) are both magnetically coupled. The yoke1132 also increases the force by which the upper magnet 1133 attractsthe clamping plate 1042.

Since the base 1021 consists of magnetic material, it generates a forcethat by means of the magnetic flux of the lower magnet 1134, attractsthe turntable 1028 toward the base 1021, but the spring 1020 pushesupward on the spindle 1002 against this attractive force.

Thirteenth Embodiment

FIG. 67 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus ofa thirteenth embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 68 is aschematic plan view of the disc apparatus showing an arrangement of thevibration-damping rubber pads on the chassis. The cross section in FIG.67 is along a chain line S67--S67 in FIG. 68. In the figures, there areimplanted in the base 1021 a pair of pins 1135 into which are fitted apair of vibration-damping rubber pads 1136 of abbreviated cylindricalshape. A compressed springs 1137 are disposed inside thevibration-damping rubber pads 1136. At the lower end of the spindle 1002is disposed a thrust bearing 1138, and one end of the vibration-dampingrubber pad 1139 having abbreviated cylindrical shape establishes buttcontact with the lower surface of the thrust bearing 1138. A compressedspring 1140 is disposed on the outer periphery of the vibration-dampingrubber pad 1139. The other ends of the vibration-damping rubber pads1136 and 1139 are secured to the chassis 1141.

As shown in FIG. 68, the chassis 1141 when viewed from above is ofabbreviated rectangular shape, and the vibration-damping rubber pads1139, 1136, and 1136, as shown in the figure, are disposed at thevertices of a triangle, supporting the base 1021 at three points.

Following is a description of the operation the disc apparatus. Thecompressed spring 1137 and the compressed spring 1140 maintainequilibrium with the total weight of the base 1021 and the componentsmounted thereon. The vibration-damping rubber pads 1136 andvibration-damping rubber pad 1139 absorb vibration transmitted from thechassis 1141 to the base 1021. The compressed spring 1140 pushes upwardthe turntable 1028 via the thrust bearing 1138, against the weight ofturntable 1028 and the attractive force of lower magnet 1134. Further,since the vibration-damping rubber pad 1139 is disposed under thespindle 1002 and supports the spindle 1002, the vibration transmittedthe base 1021 from the chassis 1141 is decreased.

Fourteenth Embodiment

FIG. 69 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus ofa fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, areference numeral 1142 designates an excitation coil secured to the base1021 and disposed oppositely to the turntable 1028, which is magnetizedso that its upper portion is a north magnetic pole and its lower portionis a south magnetic pole; 1143 a pulley formed on the turntable 1028;and 1124 a carries belt, which is wound around the pulley 1143 and apulley 1123 fixed to a motor 1122.

Following is a description of the operation of the fourteenthembodiment. In the space between the magnetized turntable 1028 and thebase 1021 consisting of magnetic material, there is generated a forcethat draws the turntable 1028 toward the base 1021. Further the forcegravity acts downward unto the turntable 1028. To oppose these forces, acurrent is applied to the excitation coil 1142, and the turntable 1028and the excitation coil 1142 are placed in opposite positions, therebygenerating a magnetic field in a direction that repels the southmagnetic pole in the lower portion of turntable 1028. This results inthe positioning of the turntable 1028 at a height at which theattractive force and gravitational force acting downward on theturntable 1028 are in equilibrium with the repulsive force of theexcitation coil 1142. Further, the components that determine thevertical positioning of the turntable 1028 and the spindle 1002 are notin butt contact in the vertical direction, so that little up-and-downmotion is imparted to the turntable 1028 as a result of vibration of thebase 1021.

Fifteenth Embodiment

FIG. 70 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus ofa fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the turntable1028 is magnetized so that its upper portion is a north magnetic poleand its lower portion is a south magnetic pole. The yoke 1144 comprisesan annular portion 1104 secured to the lower surface of the turntable1028 and a cylindrical portion 1105 that extends downward from theperiphery of the annular portion. At the inner surface near the bottomedge of cylindrical portion 1105 is secured a magnet 1145 magnetizedwith any desired number of magnetic poles. A core 1146 has a cylindricalportion 1102 secured to the holder 1125 and a plurality of theprojecting portions 1147 extending radially outward from the cylindricalportion 1102. On projecting portion 1147 is wound a coil 1148, and onthe cylindrical portion 1102 is wound an excitation coil. Thus the yoke1144, the magnet 1145, the core 1146 and the coil 1148 form a motorwhich drives the turntable 1028. There is a magnetic gap between themagnet 1145 and the core 1146 near periphery of the motor.

Following is a description of the operation the fifteenth embodiment.The magnet 1145 and the projecting portion 1147 are disposed at anoffset in the vertical direction, so that the attractive force acting onthe magnet 1145 and the projecting portion 1147 exerts an upward forceon the turntable 1028. Meanwhile, current is applied to the excitationcoil 1149 generating a magnetic field that attracts the south magneticpole on the lower portion of the turntable 1028. This results in anequilibrium between the attractive force of the magnet 1145 and theprojecting portion 1147 on the one hand, and the attractive force of theturntable 1028 and the excitation coil 1149 on the other, determiningthe vertical positioning of the turntable 1028. At this point theturntable 1028 is in a floating state. Accordingly, the components thatdetermine the vertical position of the turntable 1028 and the spindle1002 are not in butt contact in the vertical direction, so that littleup-and-down motion is imparted to the turntable 1028 as a result ofvibration of the base 1021.

Sixteenth Embodiment

FIG. 71 is a block diagram showing the disc apparatus of a sixteenthembodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the discapparatus of the fourteenth embodiment, being further provided with acoil excitation circuit 1151 connected to excitation coil 1142 of thedisc-chucking apparatus; a system controller 1152 connected to the coilexcitation circuit 1151; and a cartridge transport mechanism 1153 inwhich a cartridge 1031 is loaded, whose operation is controlled by thesystem controller 1152.

Following is a description of the operation the sixteenth embodiment. Toload the cartridge 1031 in the disc-chucking apparatus, a signal fromthe system controller 1152 causes the cartridge transporter mechanism1153 to operate. The cartridge 1031 then moves horizontally in thedirection of the turntable 1028. At this time the bottom surface of thecartridge 1031 limits the height of the apparatus, so that it is set ata position lower than that of the upper surface of the turntable 1028.But at the same time as the system controller 1152 issues instructionsfor the operation of the cartridge transport mechanism 1153, a signalfor the application of current to the coil excitation circuit in such adirection as to draw the turntable 1028 downward. The current to thecoil excitation circuit flows in the counter direction to the current ofthe excitation coil 1149 in the fourteenth embodiment. This brings theupper surface of the turntable 1028 below the lower surface of thecartridge 1031, so that there is no interference between the turntable1028 and the cartridge 1031.

When the transport operation has been completed, the system controller1152 senses a signal indicating that the operation of the cartridgetransport mechanism has reached the final stage, sends a signal to applycurrent to the coil excitation circuit in such a direction as to causethe turntable 1028 to float, the current having the same polarity as theone as was applied to the excitation coil 1149 in the fourteenthembodiment. The magnetized turntable 1028 then attracts and holds theclamping plate 1042, positioning the disc 1023 at the prescribed heightso that it can be played.

Seventeenth Embodiment

FIG. 72 is a block diagram showing the disc apparatus of a seventeenthembodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the discapparatus of the fifteenth embodiment, being further provided an opticalpickup 1154 that reproduces or records information on the disc 1023; afocus actuator 1155 that forms part of optical pickup 1154; an actuatordrive circuit 1156 that drives focus actuator 1155; a focus controlcircuit 1157 that controls the focus of optical pickup 1154; a turntabledrive circuit 1158 that is connected to control circuit 1157 andexcitation coil 1142; an optical lens 1159 that is mounted to the focusactuator 1154; and a detector 1154 that is built into the optical pickup1154.

Following is a description of the operation of the seventeenthembodiment. When the magnetized turntable 1028 is rotated, theattraction between the clamping plate 1042 and the turntable 1028 causesthe disc 1023, which is held securely to the turntable 1028 to rotatetherewith. At this time, the optical pickup 1154 reads the signalsrecorded on the disc 1023, but the height of the disc 1023 varies due towobbling of the turntable 1028 and waviness of the disc 1022. When thedistance between signal recording surface 1161 and optical lens 1159deviates from the focal distance, the detector 1160 outputs to thecontrol circuit 1157 a potential of a level corresponding to the error.The potential of a level corresponding to the error is positive when thedistance is greater than the focal distance, and negative when when thedistance is close to the focal distance. Then, based on information fromthe detector 1160, which detects variations in the distance between theoptical lens 1159 and the signal recording surface 1161, the drivecircuit 1156 drives the focus actuator 1155 and, by means of the controlcircuit 1157, maintains the distance between the optical lens 1159 andthe signal recording surface 1161 constant.

However in the event that, due to disc production variation or errors inthe assembly of the disc apparatus, the variations in distance betweenthe optical lens 1159 and the signal recording surface 1161 are extreme,that is to say, when the focal point of the optical lens cannot form animage on the signal recording surface 1161 within the range of movementof the focus actuator 1155, the control circuit 1157 activates theturntable drive circuit 1158, which, on the basis of information fromthe control circuit 1157, applies current to the excitation coil 1142,and by means of the excited excitation coil 1142, changes the height ofthe magnetized turntable 1028. When, for example, the voltage of thedetector 1160 is positive, even when the focus actuator has moved theoptical lens 1159 nearly to the topmost portion of the range ofmovement, control circuit 1157 sends a negative voltage to turntabledrive circuit 1158. At this point the turntable drive circuit 1158applies current to the excitation coil 1142 in a direction such as tocause the turntable 1028 to descend so that the turntable 1028 descendsslightly and the focal point of the optical lens 1159 comes within therange of movement of the focus actuator 1155, enabling the opticalpickup 1154 to read the information on the disc 1023.

Eighteenth Embodiment

FIG. 73 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc apparatus of an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention; andFIG. 74 is a plan view showing the turntable of the disc apparatus ofthe eighteenth embodiment. The cross section in FIG. 73 is along lineS73--S73 in FIG. 74. Those portions that are the same as or equivalentto those in the drawings showing conventional apparatus or the drawingsshowing embodiments described above are assigned the same symbols andtheir description is omitted.

In the figures, a reference numeral 1120 designates a leaf springsecured to a base 1021 made of a resilient material and supporting thelower end of spindle 1002. A reference numeral 1125 designates a holdersupporting spindle 1002 via bearing 1029; 1231 a magnetic materialforming a portion of the turntable 1028; 1232 a hub that is molded ofplastic on the magnetic material 1231; 1233 a flange formed on hub 1233;1234 a centering portion formed on hub 1234, in which the checkingmagnet 1109 is bonded to the upper surface of the magnetic material 1231and the motor magnet 1113 is bonded to the lower surface of the magneticmaterial 1231.

That is to say, the magnetic material 1231 is of abbreviated annularshape centered around the spindle 1002, with the lower magnetizedsurface of the upper magnet 1109 coupled to the inner side of its uppersurface, and the upper magnetized surface of the lower magnet 1113coupled to the outer side of its lower surface. The upper magnetizedsurface of the upper magnet 1109 is formed on the upper surface of theturntable 1028 (the surface on which the disc is held) and generates themagnetic flux to attract the clamping plate of the disc. The magnetizedsurface on the lower side of the lower magnet 1113 is opposed to thecoil 1114 mounted to the base 1021, and together with the coil 1114forms the motor that causes the turntable 1028 to rotate.

Both the lower magnetized surface of the upper magnet 1109 and the uppermagnetized surface of the lower magnet 1113 are north poles, and themagnetic material 1231 acts as a back yoke, joining them and preventingdemagnetization of the magnets.

Because of the need to keep the disc 1023 at the prescribed position, aflange 1233 and a centering piece 1234 are molded of plastic, bysandwiching plastic between extrusion molding dies and the magneticmaterial 1231 which is press-molded from sheet material.

Nineteenth Embodiment

FIG. 75 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc-chucking apparatus of a nineteenth embodiment of the presentinvention, in which reference numeral 1240 designates a female-threadedportion formed on the turntable 1028 and extending in the direction ofthe spindle 1002; 1241 a female-threaded portion formed on the chuckingmagnet 1109 and extending in the direction of the spindle 1002; and 1242a slit formed in chucking magnet 1109.

Following is a description of the operation of the nineteenthembodiment. Generally, because speaking magnets formed by sintering ofthe rare earth elements and the like are of poor dimensional accuracy,such variations must be taken into account when determining the distanceof separation from the clamping plate 1042. As the distance between themagnet and the magnetic material increases, however, there is a dramaticdrop in attractive force. Accordingly, in order that the upper surfaceof the chucking magnet 1109 coincide with the reference height duringassembly of the apparatus, a tool (such as, for example, a flat-headscrewdriver) is inserted into the slit 1242 and turned to adjust theheight.

Twentieth Embodiment

FIG. 76 is a side view of the structure of the disc apparatus of atwentieth embodiment of the present invention, which is provided with asuspension apparatus which suspends the base 1021 in a free or floatingstate with respect to the chassis 1241. In addition, this suspension maybe effected both in cases where the disc apparatus is disposed as shownin the figure (with the lower portion in the figure being arranged atthe bottom) and in case the portion at the left or right side in thedrawing is arranged at the bottom. As has been previously described, onthe base 1021 is held the turntable 1028, on top of which the cartridgeis placed. On the base 1021 is additionally held a motor, and thesuspension apparatus suspends the base 1021 holding the components.

As shown in the figure, the suspension apparatus is provided with firstthrough fourth suspension magnets 1250-1253; first through fourthsuspension coils 1254-1257; first and second pins 1258a and 1258b; andvibration-damping rubber pads 1259a and 1259b.

The first and second suspension magnets 1250 and 1251 are of abbreviatedrod shape, and each has one end secured to the lower surface of a mainflat portion 1021a of the base 1021, extending downward from the lowersurface perpendicular to the lower surface, and magnetized in thatdirection. Third and fourth suspension magnets 1252 and 1253 each hasone end secured to the outer surface of side surface portions 1021b and1021c of base 1021, extending outward from the outer and magnetized inthat direction.

The first and second suspension coils 1254 and 1255 each has one endsecured to the upper surface of the lower plate 1241s of the chassis1241, extending upward from the upper surface perpendicular to the uppersurface, and in that direction passing through the first and secondsuspension magnets 1250 and 1251, so that, when an electrical currentflows, a magnetic field is generated in the direction of magnetizationof the magnets 1250 and 1251. The third and fourth suspension coils 1256and 1257 each has one end secured to the inside surface of the sideplates 1241b and 1241c of the chassis 1241, extending inward from theinner surface perpendicular to the inner surface, and in that directionpassing through the third and fourth suspension magnets 1252 and 1253,so that, when an electrical current flows, a magnetic field is generatedin the direction of magnetization of the magnets 1252 and 1253.

The pins 1258a and 1258b are implanted (generally secured) to the sidesurfaces 1021b and 1021c of the base 1021, extending outward from theside surfaces. The vibration-damping rubber pads 1259a and 1259b aresecured to the side plates 1141b and 1141c of the chassis 1141 andengaged with the pins 1258a and 1258b.

Following is a description of the operation the twentieth embodiment.When a disc apparatus is to be installed in the passenger compartment ortrunk of a motor car, the apparatus may be arranged, depending on thespace available, either with the part shown at the bottom of FIG. 76 atthe bottom, or with the part shown at the left side or right side ofFIG. 76 at the bottom. In order that disc reproduction be free ofinterference no matter which arrangement is adopted, the base 1021 iskept free of the chassis 1141 by means of the vibration-damping rubberpads 1258a and 1258b formed of an elastic material.

When installing the apparatus with the part shown at the bottom of FIG.76 at the bottom, that is to say, so that arrow 1241Y points upward, aforce due to the weight of the base 1021 and the components mountedthereon acts in a direction opposite to that of arrow 1241Y. At thatpoint a voltage is applied to the first suspension coil 1254 and thesecond suspension coil 1255 generating a magnetic field, and as a resultof the action of the magnet flux produced by the first suspension magnet1250 and the second suspension magnet 1251, the base 1021 is pushedupward in the direction of arrow 1241Y maintaining it in a position ofequilibrium with the force exerted by the weight.

Again, when installing the apparatus with the part shown at the rightside of FIG. 76 at the bottom, that is to say, so that arrow 1241Xpoints upward, a force due to the weight of the base 1021 and thecomponents mounted thereon acts in a direction opposite to that of arrow1241X. At that point a voltage is applied to the third suspension coil1256 and the fourth suspension coil 1257 generating a magnetic field,and as a result of the action of the magnet flux produced by the thirdsuspension magnet 1252 and the fourth suspension magnet 1253, the base1021 is pushed upward in the direction of arrow 1241X maintaining it ina position of equilibrium with the force exerted by the weight.

Similarly, when installing the apparatus with the part shown at the leftside of FIG. 76 at the bottom, so that the direction opposite to arrow1241X is upward, a force due to the weight of the base 1021 and thecomponents mounted thereon acts in the direction of arrow 1241X. At thatpoint a voltage opposite to that described above is applied to the thirdsuspension coil 1256 and the fourth suspension coil 1257 generating amagnetic field, and as a result of the action of the magnet fluxproduced by the third suspension magnet 1252 and the fourth suspensionmagnet 1253, the base 1021 is pushed upward in a direction opposite tothat of arrow 1241X maintaining it in a position of equilibrium with theforce exerted by the weight.

In the twentieth embodiment described above, the suspension coils1254-1257 are mounted to the chassis 1241 and the suspension magnets1250-1253 are mounted to the base 1021, but it is equally possible, onthe contrary, to mount the suspension magnets 1250-1253 on the chassis1241 and the suspension coils 1254-1257 on the base 1021.

Twenty-first Embodiment

FIG. 77 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc apparatus of a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention,wherein a reference numeral 1260 designates a magnetic recording headthat generates a magnetic flux for recording onto the disc 1023; 1261 aholder securing the magnetic recording head 1260; and 1262 a coilsecured in the holder 1261.

Following is a description of the operation the twenty-first embodiment.When the cartridge 1031 is loaded into the apparatus, the holder 1261 isseparated from the recording surface of the disc as indicated by arrow1261A. When loading is completed, the holder 1261 moves in the directionof arrow 1261B bringing the magnetic recording head 1260 into proximitywith the disc 1023. Recording is accomplished in this state bygenerating a magnetic field in the magnetic recording head 1260.

To eject the cartridge 1031, the holder 1261 is moved in the directionof arrow 1261A, the magnetic recording head 1260 is separated from thecartridge 1031. If a voltage is applied to the coil 1262 at this time, amagnetic field is generated canceling or weakening the magnetic field ofthe chucking magnet and facilitating the ejection of the cartridge 1031.

Twenty-second Embodiment

FIG. 78 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of thedisc apparatus of a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention,wherein a reference numeral 1270 designates a holder provided rotatablyon the base 1021 and clamping a magnetic recording head 1260; 1271 arotating spindle for the holder 1270; and 1272 a disk-release magnetclamped to the holder 1270.

Following is a description of the operation the twenty-secondembodiment. When the cartridge 1031 is loaded into the apparatus, theholder 1270 is positioned at the angle shown in FIG. 78, and whenloading is completed, the holder 1270 rotates in the direction of arrow1270B, bringing the magnetic recording head 1260 into proximity with thedisc 1023. Recording is accomplished in this state by generating amagnetic field in the magnetic recording head 1260.

To eject the cartridge 1031, the holder 1270 is rotated in the directionof arrow 1270A, and the magnetic recording head 1260 is separated fromthe cartridge 1031. At this time, a disc release magnet 1272 is inproximity to the clamping plate 1042, canceling or weakening themagnetic field of the chucking magnet and facilitating the ejection ofthe cartridge 1031.

Twenty-third Embodiment

FIG. 79 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the discapparatus of a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention. Thestructure shown in this figure may be used in moving the transfer memberin the embodiment shown in FIG. 52.

As shown in the figure, the disc chucking magnet 1003 is mounted in atransfer member 1004. The transfer member 1004 is held rotatably withrespect to the base 1021 around center of rotation 1004S, and force in adirection opposite to that of arrow 1004R is applied to the discchucking member 1004 by the compressed spring 1280.

The optical pickup 1283 is provided slidably in a directionperpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 79 by means of the slidingmembers 1279a and 1279b with respect to the base 1021. The arm 1284 isfixed to the optical pickup 1283. The holder 1261 is mounted to the arm1284 rotatably around rotating shaft 1261S. To the holder 1261 themagnetic recording head 1260 is mounted. The tension spring 1286 appliesforce to the holder 1261. In a direction opposite to that of arrow1261R, while the rotary motion of the holder 1261 due to the spring 1286is limited by the stopper 1285.

The plunger 1281 is mounted to the base 1021. The rod 1282 is driven bythe plunger 1281. At the ends of the rod 1282 are formed butt contactportions 1289a and 1289b. These butt contact members 1289a and 1289b areslidable so as to establish butt contact with, respectively, a taperedportion 1287 of the holder 1261 and a tapered portion 1288 of thetransfer member 1004. When, driven by the plunger 1281, the rod 1004moves to the left in the drawing, the butt contact and sliding motion ofbutt contact portions 1289a and 1289b and of tapered portions 1287 and1288 cause holder 1261 to rotate in the direction of arrow 1261R, whiletransfer member 1004 rotates in the direction of arrow 1004R.

In the figure, the chucking magnet 1003 and the motor 1030 are shown asif interposed between the optical pickup 1283 and the disc 1023, butthis is for drafting convenience only, and the chucking magnet 1003 andthe motor 1030 are, in fact, disposed proximately.

Following is a description of the operation of the twenty-thirdembodiment. To eject the cartridge 1031, application of voltage to theplunger 1281 drives the rod 1282 in the direction of arrow 1282T so thatthe butt contact portions 1289a and 1289b establish butt contact withthe tapered portions 1287 and 1288, causing the transfer member 1004 andthe holder 1263 to rotate in the directions of arrows 1004R and 1261Rrespectively. As a result the magnetic recording head 1260 is distancedfrom the recording surface of the disc while at the same time, thechucking magnet 1003, which was held by transfer member 1004, isdistanced from the clamping plate of the disc.

When the turntable 1028 is formed from a magnetic material and thechucking magnet 1003 is in close proximity to the turntable 1028, themagnetic flux of the chucking magnet 1003 permeates the turntable 1028to attract and hold the disc 1023, but when the transfer member 1004rotates in the direction of arrow 1004R and the chucking magnet 1003 isseparated from the turntable 1028, the attractive force is weakened andit becomes possible to withdraw the cartridge 1031 from the apparatuswith ease.

Twenty-fourth Embodiment

FIG. 80 is a perspective view showing the structure of aposition-detecting apparatus of a twenty-fourth embodiment of thepresent invention. Those portions that are the same as or equivalent tothose described with reference to FIG. 94 through FIG. 97 are assignedthe same symbols and their description is omitted.

The position-detecting apparatus of the twenty-fourth embodiment (and ofthe twenty-fifth through twenty-eighth embodiments described below) arefor the purpose of detecting the operational mode of thedrive-transmitting mechanism performing the prescribed operation due toa motor or other drive source, and uses the fact that the position of amoving member that forms part of the drive-transmitting mechanismdiffers depending on the operational mode to detect operational mode bydetecting the position of the moving member.

In the figure, the position-detecting gear 1305 is used as the movingmember described above, and forms part of a drive-transmitting mechanismdriven by a motor or the like (not shown). In the example shown in thefigure, the position-detecting gear 1305 meshes with a driver gear 1307(driven directly or indirectly by a motor or the like) and a driven gear(which drives, directly or indirectly, a slider, cam gear or the like),and rotates around the spindle 1306. The position-detecting gear 1305comprises, on the same circular path, along the direction of rotarymotion, a light-reflecting portion 1302, a light-transmitting portion1303, and a light-absorbing portion (that portion exclusive of the thelight-reflecting and light-transmitting portions). The light-reflectingportion 1302 is made by applying metal foil or plating having a highreflectance to the surface of gear 1305. The light-transmitting portion1303 is a hole or transparent material for the purpose of allowing thepassage of light. The light-absorbing portion consists of those parts ofthe surface of the gear 1305 that lie on the same circular path aslight-reflecting portion 1302 and light-transmitting portion 1303, butnot including the light-reflecting portion 1302 and light-transmittingportion 1303. In cases where the surface of gear 1305 has a highreflectance, it may be treated with a seal or coating of lowreflectance.

A photoreflector 1301 is provided in a position such that thelight-reflecting portion 1302 and the light-transmitting portion 1303face the photoreflector as the gear 1305 rotates. The photoreflector1301 comprises a photoemitter 1320 and a photodetector 1322 (shown inFIG. 81) arranged in parallel and molded into a unit with plastic, sothat when the light-reflecting portion 1302 and the light-transmittingportion 1303 reach the facing position they are irradiated with lightfrom the photoemitter 1320. The photodetector 1322 receives only thatpart of the light emitted by the photoemitter 1320 that is reflected bythe light-reflecting portion 1302.

The photodetector 1323, which is disposed on the opposite side to thephotoreflector 1301 across the gear 1305 receives that part of the lightfrom the photoemitter 1320 that is transmitted by the light-transmittingportion 1303.

The comparator 1309 receives and amplifies the light from thephotodetector 1322, compares it with the prescribed reference voltageand generates a rectangular-wave signal showing the result of thecomparison. The comparator 1310 receives and amplifies the light fromthe photodetector 1323, compares it with the prescribed referencevoltage and generates a rectangular-wave signal showing the result ofthe comparison. Based on the rectangular wave signals from thecomparators 1309 and 1310, a system controller 1312 detects theoperational mode of the drive-transmitting mechanism in accordance withthe rotational position of the gear 1305, and applies the detectedresult to the control of the motor.

FIG. 81 is a drawing showing the operation of the position-detectingapparatus of the twenty-fourth embodiment, where the rotary motion ofthe position-detecting gear 1305 is represented as motion to the left(direction of the arrow) in part (a). Part (b) represents the outputsignal obtained from the photodetector 1322 within the photoreflector1301, and part (c) represents the output signal of photodetector 1323.Part (d) shows the rectangular wave obtained when the output signalobtained from the photodetector 1322 within the photoreflector 1301 ispassed through the comparator 1309, and part (e) shows the rectangularwave obtained when the output signal obtained from the photodetector1323 passed through the comparator 1310. In FIG. 81, the signals areobtained as a function of time and for the sake of convenience time hasbeen made to correspond to the movement of the gear.

Initially, when that portion other than the light-reflecting portion1302 and the light-transmitting portion 1303, that is to say, thelight-absorbing portion, is facing the photodetectors 1322 and 1323,neither the photodetector 1322 or the photodetector 1323 can receivelight from the photoemitter 1320, so that each output is at zero level.

Next, as the position-detecting gear 1305 moves in the direction of thearrow and light-reflecting portion 1302 comes to a position facingphotoreflector 1301, the light from the photoemitter 1320 is reflectedby the light-reflecting portion 1302, and this is received by thephotodetector 1322. At this point, as shown the part (b) of FIG. 81, theprescribed output voltage is obtained from the photodetector 1322, andthis output signal is amplified and compared at the comparator 1309 witha reference signal to obtain the rectangular wave signal shown in thepart (d) of FIG. 81.

As the position-detecting gear 1305 moves further in the direction ofthe arrow and the light-reflecting portion 1302 once again is removedfrom the position facing the photoreflector 1301, light to thephotodetector 1323 is once more interrupted, and the signal outputreturns to zero level.

As the position-detecting gear 1305 moves yet further in the directionof the arrow and the light-transmitting portion 1303 now comes to aposition facing photoemitter 1320 and the photodetector 1323 and thelight from photoemitter 1320 is received by the photodetector 1323. Atthis point, as shown in part (c) of FIG. 81, the prescribed outputvoltage is received from photodetector 1323, and this output signal isamplified and compared at the comparator 1310 with a reference signal inthe same way as in the case of the photodetector 1322 described above,to obtain the rectangular wave signal shown in part (e) of FIG. 81.

By inputting the rectangular wave signals thus obtained into the systemcontroller 1312, the position of the gear 1305 is detected. In the eventthat it is desired, for example, to stop the movement of thedrive-transmitting mechanism at that position, the motor (not shown) isstopped.

Twenty-fifth Embodiment

The twenty-fourth embodiment described above shows a case in which thelight-reflecting portion 1302, the light-transmitting portion 1303 andthe light-absorbing portion are provided at different angular positionson the same circular path on a position-detecting gear 1305; thephotoemitter 1320 is provided facing the position-detecting gear 1305;the photodetector 1322 is adjacent to the photoemitter 1320 andreceiving reflected light; and a photodetector 1323 is provided, whichis disposed on the opposite side to the photoemitter 1320 across theposition-detecting gear 1305 and received transmitted light. However,the twenty-fifth embodiment of the present invention comprises a light aposition-detecting gear provided with a light-reflecting portion onwhich is mounted a polarizing sheet; at least one photoemitter; aplurality of photodetectors facing the position-detecting gear; andpolarizing sheets mounted on the front surface of each of thesephotodetectors.

Following is a description of the twenty-fifth embodiment with referenceto FIG. 82, which is a perspective view showing the structure of theposition-detecting apparatus of the twenty-fifth embodiment. Thoseportions that are the same as or equivalent to those shown in thetwenty-fourth embodiment are assigned the same symbols and theirdescription is omitted.

In the figure, a first photoreflector 1301 comprises a photoemitter 1320and a photodetector 1322. A second photoreflector 1313 comprises aphotoemitter 1330 and a photodetector 1323. The photoreflectors 1301 and1313 are of the same structure as the photoreflector of FIG. 81, and areprovided at different angular position on a similar circular path on theposition-detecting gear 1305.

The gear 1305 is similar to the gear 1305 in FIG. 81, except that it hasno light-transmitting portion 1303 and is provided with a firstlight-reflecting portion 1334, a second light-reflecting portion 1335and a third light-reflecting portion 1336. The first light-reflectingportion 1334 is formed by applying a first polarizing sheet (film) 1314over a reflective metal foil 1302. The second light-reflecting portion1335 is formed by applying a second polarizing sheet (film) 1315 overthe reflective metal foil 1302. The third light-reflecting portion 1336consists only of the reflective metal foil 1302 (that is to say, nopolarizing sheet (film) is applied). Further, parts other than thelight-reflecting portions 1334, 1335 and 1336, or at least those partsIn the same circular path as the light-reflecting portions, consist ofnon-reflecting parts (the same as the light-absorbing portion in thetwenty-fourth embodiment, having a lower reflectance than the reflectingportions).

A third polarizing sheet 1316 is provided on the front face of thephotodetector 1322 of the photoreflector 1301, and the light enteringphotodetector 1322 passes through the third polarizing sheet 1316. Afourth polarizing sheet 1317 is provided on the front face of thephotodetector 1323, and the light entering photodetector 1323 passesthrough the fourth polarizing sheet.

The direction of polarization of the first polarizing sheet 1314 andsecond polarizing sheet 1315 differ by 90°. The direction ofpolarization of the third polarizing sheet 1316 and the fourthpolarizing sheet 1317 differ by 90°. The direction of polarization ofthe first polarizing sheet 1314 and the third polarizing sheet 1316 arethe same. The direction of polarization of the second polarizing sheet1315 and the fourth polarizing sheet 1317 are the same.

FIG. 83 is a drawing showing the operation of the position-detectingapparatus of this twenty-fifth embodiment. Part (b) of FIG. 83represents the output signal obtained from photodetector 1322 withinphotoreflector 1301, and part (c) of FIG. 83 represents the outputsignal of the photodetector 1323 within the photoreflector 1313. Part(d) of FIG. 83 shows the rectangular wave obtained when the outputsignal obtained from the photodetector 1322 within the photoreflector1301 is passed through the comparator 1309, and part (e) of FIG. 83shows the rectangular wave obtained when the output signal obtained fromthe photodetector 1323 within the photoreflector 1313 is passed throughthe comparator 1310. In FIG. 83, as in the case of FIG. 81, time hasbeen made to correspond to the movement of the gear 1305, but inconsideration of the phase difference between the photoreflector 1301and the photoreflector 1313, the waveforms shown in parts (c) and (e) ofFIG. 83 have been shifted by a time corresponding to the phasedifference (and equally represented by the phase difference).

In the same way as in the twenty-fourth embodiment, the comparator 1309receives and amplifies the light from the photodetector 1322, comparesit with the prescribed reference voltage and generates arectangular-wave signal showing the result of the comparison. Thecomparator 1310 receives and amplifies the light from the photodetector1323, compares it with the prescribed reference voltage and generates arectangular-wave signal showing the result of the comparison. Based onthe rectangular wave signals from the comparators 1309 and 1310, thesystem controller 1312 detects the operational mode of thedrive-transmitting mechanism in accordance with the rotational positionof the gear 1305, and applies the detected result to the control of themotor.

First is a description of the output of first photoreflector 1301. Whenthe light-absorbing portion is facing first photoreflector 1301, thephotodetector 1322 cannot receive light from the photoemitter 1320, sothat its output is at zero level.

Next, as the position-detecting gear 1305 moves in the direction of thearrow and the first light-reflecting portion 1334 comes to a positionfacing the photoreflector 1301, the light from the photoemitter 1320passes through the third polarizing sheet 1316 and is reflected by thefirst light-reflecting portion 1334, passes through the third polarizingsheet 1316, and this is received by the photodetector 1322. Since thefirst light-reflecting portion 1334 is provided with a first polarizingsheet 1314, light is reflected, but since the direction of polarizationof the first polarizing sheet 1314 and the third polarizing sheet 1316are the same, the photodetector 1322 does not receive any reflectedlight input, and as shown in part (b) of FIG. 83, the prescribed outputvoltage is obtained from the photodetector 1322, and this output signalis amplified and compared at the comparator 1309 with a reference signalto obtain the rectangular wave signal shown in (d) of FIG. 83.

As the position-detecting gear 1305 moves further in the direction ofthe arrow and the third light-reflecting portion 1336 comes to theposition facing photoreflector 1301, light from photoemitter 1320 isreflected at third light-reflecting portion 1336 and is input tophotodetector 1322. As a result the prescribed output is obtained evenin this portion and the output level of the comparator 1309 stays high.

As the position-detecting gear 1305 moves yet further in the directionof the arrow and the second light-reflecting portion 1335 comes to aposition facing the photoreflector 1301, light from the photoemitter1320 no longer reaches the photodetector 1322. This is because thedirections of polarization of the second polarizing sheet 1315 and thethird polarizing sheet 1316 differ by 90°. As a result, the output fromphotodetector 1322 is at zero level and the output of the comparator1309 also goes low.

The process for the second photoreflector 1313 is similar to that forthe first photoreflector 1301. But when the second light-reflectingportion 1335 and the third light-reflecting portion 1336 come to thefacing position, the outputs of the photodetector 1323 and thecomparator 1310 are high, and when the first light-reflecting portion1334 comes to the facing position, the outputs of the photodetector 1323and the comparator 1310 are low as shown in the parts (c) and (e) ofFIG. 83. This is because the direction of polarization of the fourthpolarizing sheet 1317 is the same as that of the second polarizing sheet1315, and differs from that of first polarizing sheet 1314 by 90°.

In the twenty-fifth embodiment described above, the front faces of thephotoemitter and the photodetectors of the photoreflector 1301 and thephotoreflector 1313 are provided with polarizing sheets, but it isequally possible to provide polarizing sheets on the front faces of thephotodetectors only (the third and fourth polarizing sheets 1316 and1317 for the photodetectors 1322 and 1323 respectively.)

Twenty-sixth Embodiment

The twenty-fifth embodiment described above shows a case in which aposition-detecting gear 1305 was provided with the first and secondpolarizing sheets, provided, respectively, with the first, second andthird light-reflecting portions 1334, 1335 and 1336, along with anon-reflecting portion; the photoemitters 1320 and 1330 andphotodetectors 1322 and 1323 are provided facing position-detecting gear1305, and the polarizing sheets 1316 and 1317are provided for the frontfaces of each of the photodetectors. However, the twenty-sixthembodiment of the present invention comprises a position-detecting gearprovided, in addition to a light-reflecting portion and a non-reflectingportion, with a magnetic portion, so that a photoemitter, aphotodetector and a magnetic sensor are provided facing theposition-detecting gear.

Following is a description of the twenty-sixth embodiment with referenceto FIG. 84, which is a perspective view showing the structure of theposition-detecting apparatus of the twenty-sixth embodiment. Thoseportions that are the same as or equivalent to those shown in thetwenty-fourth embodiment are assigned the same symbols and theirdescription is omitted.

In the figure, a reference numeral 1301 designates a photoreflector;1302 a light-reflecting portion provided on the surface ofposition-detecting gear 1305; and 1318 a magnetic portion providedwithin position-detecting gear 1305. The magnetic portion 1318 mayequally be provided on the same circular path as the light-reflectingportion 1302 (at a different angular position) or on a differentcircular path. A reference numeral 1319 designates a magnetic detectionmeans such as a Hall element, magnetic resistor or the like. The casedescribed in the twenty-sixth embodiment involves the use of a Hallelement.

Following is a description of the position-detecting operation. FIG. 85is a drawing showing the operation of the position-detecting apparatusof the twenty-sixth embodiment. Part (b) of FIG. 85 represents theoutput signal obtained from the photodetector 1322 within thephotoreflector 1301, and part (c) of FIG. 85 represents the outputsignal of Hall element 1319. Part (d) of FIG. 85 shows the rectangularwave obtained when the output signal obtained from the photodetector1322 within the photoreflector 1301 is passed through the comparator1309, and part (e) of FIG. 85 shows the rectangular wave obtained whenthe output signal obtained from Hall element 1319 is passed throughcomparator 1310.

The detection operation of the photoreflector 1301 is the same as in thetwenty-fourth embodiment and its description is accordingly omitted.Following is a description of the operation of the Hall element 1319.Initially, the Hall element 1319, which is a position-detecting element,is positioned facing the non-magnetic portion (those portions other thanthe portion at which is provided magnet 1318) of position-detecting gear1305, and the output of the Hall element 1319 is at zero level.

Next, as the position-detecting gear 1305 moves in the direction of thearrow and magnet portion 1318 comes to a position facing the Hallelement 1319, the magnetic field acts thereon. At this point, as shownin the part (c) of FIG. 85, the prescribed output voltage is obtainedfrom the Hall element 1319, and this output signal is amplified andcompared at the comparator 1310 with a reference signal to obtain therectangular wave signal shown in the part (e) of FIG. 85.

If this is input to the system controller 1312, the system controller1312 detects the position of the position-detecting gear 1305 based onthe rectangular wave signals thus obtained and applies the detectedresult to the control of the motor.

Twenty-seventh Embodiment

The twenty-fifth embodiment described above shows a case in which theposition-detecting gear 1305 is provided with the first and secondpolarizing sheets, provided, respectively, with the first, second andthird light-reflecting portions 1334, 1335 and 1336, along with thenon-reflecting portion; the photoemitters 1320 and 1330 and thephotodetectors 1322 and 1323 provided facing the position-detecting gear1305, and the polarizing sheets 1316 and 1317 provided for the frontfaces of each of the photodetectors. However, the twenty-seventhembodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 86, comprises, inplace of a light-reflecting portion 1302 with a polarizing sheet, thelight-transmitting portions 1303 and 1333 equipped with polarizingsheets, together with a non-transmitting portion, and the light passingthrough these light-transmitting portions is detected by photodetectors1323 and 1343. That is to say, a gear 1305 is provided, on a singlecircular path, with a light-transmitting portion 1303 having a firstpolarizing sheet 1314 and a light-transmitting portion second 1333having a second polarizing sheet 1315. The photodetectors 1323 and 1343are disposed on the side opposite to the photoemitters 1320 and 1321 sothat the gear 1305 is sandwiched between the photoemitters 1320 and1321. The front faces of the photodetectors 1323 and 1343 are providedwith the third and fourth polarizing sheets 1316 and 1317.

The direction of polarization of the first polarizing sheet 1314 andsecond polarizing sheet 1315 differ by 90°. The direction ofpolarization of the third polarizing sheet 1316 and fourth polarizingsheet 1317 differ by 90°. The direction of polarization of the firstpolarizing sheet 1314 and third polarizing sheet 1316 are the same. Thedirection of polarization of the second polarizing sheet 1315 and fourthpolarizing sheet 1317 are the same.

A position-detecting apparatus having this structure also operates inthe same manner as the twenty-fifth embodiment in FIG. 82. There is,however, nothing to correspond to the third light-reflecting portion1336 of FIG. 82, and while on the one hand the light passing through thefirst light-transmitting portion 1303 impinges on the firstphotodetector 1323, and not on the second photodetector 1343, the lightpassing through the second light-transmitting portion 1333 impinges onsecond photodetector 1343, and not on the first photodetector 1323,

Twenty-eighth Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 87, the number of detection positions in thetwenty-fourth, twenty-fifth and twenty-seventh embodiments can beincreased by the addition of the magnetic portion 1318, the magnetdetection element 1319 and the comparator 1311 of the twenty-sixthembodiment.

In the twenty-fourth through twenty-eighth embodiments described above,the detecting elements are disposed in a single row in the direction ofrotation, but the number of detection positions can be increased byproviding a plurality of rows of detection elements.

In the embodiments described above, the angle of rotation of a rotatingbody such as a gear is detected but each of this embodiments can beapplied to the detection of an object that moves in a straight line oralong a prescribed curve. In any of these cases, a plurality ofdetection elements may be disposed along the direction of movement, inone row or a plurality of rows.

Twenty-ninth Embodiment

In each of the the twenty-fourth through twenty-eighth embodiments, aplurality of detection elements are disposed along the direction ofmovement of a moving member, so that in conventional apparatus describedwith reference to FIGS. 94 through 97, there must be two or more rows ofcontacts arranged in the radial direction. In the twenty-ninthembodiment, by contrast detection can be effected even with one row.However, as shown in the conventional apparatus of FIG. 94 through FIG.97, when there are six detection positions, it is necessary to provide,in configurations such as in the twenty-fourth through twenty-seventhembodiments, two rows of detection elements. If the number of detectionelements is increased as in the twenty-eighth embodiment, however,detection can be effected even with one row, and even if the number ofdetection positions is increased there is no need for excessive increasein the diameter of the position-detecting gear, making the apparatusmore compact.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

In the automatic disc-changing apparatus of the present invention, aholding mechanism for standby is provided with a plurality of cartridgeholders holding cartridges, any one of which cartridge holders can, bymeans of a holding mechanism for transport, which holds the cartridgeholders; a transfer mechanism that moves the holding mechanism fortransport horizontally; and an elevating mechanism that moves theholding mechanism for transport vertically, be transported from thestandby position to the recording and reproducing position above theplayer, or from the recording and reproducing position to the standbyposition, with the effect that the user can reproduce from or recordonto the desired cartridge merely by the operation of selecting it fromamong the plurality of cartridges.

Further, the holding mechanism for standby is provided with a pluralityof cartridge insertion ports corresponding, respectively, to theplurality of cartridge holders, so that cartridges can be loaded intoeach of the cartridge holders by inserting them into the insertionports, with the effect that, in comparison with conventional apparatusin which discs could be changed only after withdrawing the magazine,operation is simplified.

Further, the loading gear, which is supported so as to rotate freely onan elevator which moves vertically with respect to the chassis, iscaused to engage a cylindrical gear, to which driving power istransmitted from a drive motor mounted on the chassis, so that theloading gear, which is supported by the elevator, the vertical height ofwhich changes, is engaged with the cylindrical gear and power from thedrive motor is transmitted irrespective of the height at which theelevator is positioned, enabling driving power to be transmitted tomoving components by a simple mechanism, with the effect of achieving anapparatus having fewer components and lower cost.

Further, the engaging pins implanted in the loading gear, which rotatesfreely on the elevator, are caused to engage with a Y-shaped cam holeformed in the transporter, which is supported slidably on the elevator,with the effect that the structure of the transporter is simplified,with the effect of achieving an apparatus having fewer components andlower cost.

Further, the engaging pin that is implanted in the loading gear isinserted through a Y-shaped cam hole formed in the transporterestablishing butt contact with with a holding mechanism for transportsupported on the transporter so as to rotate freely, with the effectthat the motion by the transporter horizontally to the front and rear,and the hold and release actions by the holding mechanism for transportcan be carried out by a simple mechanism, achieving an apparatus havingfewer components and lower cost.

Further, the cam gear provided with the cam hole is engaged from thedrive motor through the reduction gears, and the floating arm forpositioning and securing the player is engaged to the cam hole of thecam gear, with the effect that the driving of the loading lever and thefloating arm are controlled simultaneously by the cam gear, achievingthe apparatus having fewer components and lower cost.

Further, the rack is engaged with the cylindrical gear that transmitsdriving power to the transporter, and the detecting switch is providedto sense a pattern on the rack corresponding to the sliding motion ofthe rack, enabling detection of the angle of rotation of the loadinggear, which is supported on the elevator, the (sliding component), withthe effect that there was no need to provide electrical wiring on themoving portion to achieve the apparatus of higher reliability, in whichopen circuits and the like were unlikely to occur.

Further, the cam grooves provided in the slide cams, structured slidablyon the chassis, are engaged with the pins provided on both ends of theloading lever, so that the slide cams can be driven by the rotation ofthe loading lever horizontally to the front and rear with respect to thechassis, with the effect of achieving an apparatus having fewercomponents and lower cost.

Further, the horizontal motion of the cartridge and the cartridge holdand release actions are driven by a single motor, and the verticalmotion of the cartridge and the action of clamping the cartridge to theplayer are driven by a single motor, achieving an apparatus that iscompact and inexpensive.

Further, the portion for the horizontal transport of the cartridge movesvertically, so that the requisite height of the apparatus can be madeequal to the sum of the height of the portion accommodating thecartridges and the height of the player, reducing the cubic volume ofthe apparatus.

Further, when the chucking arm is open and engages with each of thecartridge holders, an pressing portion mounted on the chucking armexerts pressure from the periphery on the positioning spring of thecartridge holder, regulating the sag in the positioning spring andpreventing inadvertent ejection operations while the cartridge is inmotion.

Further, there is provided the rotatable clamping lever that clamps thecartridge holder in which the cartridges are loaded to the player whichplays the discs, and the compressive spring that applies force to theclamping lever, so that the cartridge is clamped to the player even whenthe player floats from the chassis, fixing the relative positions of thecartridge and the player in the floating state, with the effect ofachieving the apparatus of outstanding durability.

Further, the hook is formed on the sliding plate that toggles betweenthe positioning and securing, and the floating of the player, and thepin, which engages with the hook, is implanted in the clamping leverthat is supported rotatably on the player, so that driving power toclamp the cartridge to the player can be obtained from the drive meansthat toggles the player between the floating state and the fixed statewith respect to the chassis, with the effect of eliminating the need fora dedicated drive motor for clamping of the cartridge and achieving anapparatus in which the number of components is reduced.

Further, control is such that the cartridge holder is loaded to theplayer while the player is fixed to the chassis, and the player is thenfloated from the chassis, so that even when the structure is such thatwhen the cartridge that has been transported is to be loaded to theplayer the player is positioned and fixed to the chassis, and is in thefloating state during playing, the cartridge moves vertically at thespecific position of the player during loading and unloading, with theeffect of improving the positioning accuracy of the apparatus.

Further, the cartridges can be loaded from the outside, and a pluralityof cartridge holders are provided, freely mountable to and dismountablefrom the transport mechanism, with the effect that a plurality ofcartridges can be loaded directly and individually in the standbyposition, without using a dedicated magazine rack, with the effect ofachieving an apparatus that is more convenient to use.

Further, the cartridges can be loaded so that the label surface of theloaded cartridge is at approximately the same height as the surface ofthe control panel, so that the titles inscribed on the label surface canbe seen directly from the control panel, with the effect of achieving anapparatus that is more convenient to use.

Further, the tapered portions are provided above and below the rear edgeof the cartridge holder, so that even if the cartridge that has beentransported from the player to the standby position may have, in thecourse of its horizontal motion, been displaced upward or downward fromits intended height, it will be guided by butt contact established withthe tapered portion of the other cartridge holders being held in thestandby position, and will be held accurately in the standby position,with the effect of achieving an apparatus that is of higher reliability.

Further, the eject lever allowing cartridges in any of a plurality ofcartridge holders to be ejected, so that any cartridge loaded in thestandby position can be ejected and replaced even while another disc isbeing played, with the effect of achieving the apparatus that is moreconvenient to use.

Further, the rotatable engagement arm is supported axially on aplurality of cartridge holders and a block guide that engages with theengagement arm on the chassis that rotates in linkage with the transportmechanism, so that the cartridge holders is held by the block guideduring cartridge ejection and the block is released when it istransported to the player, enabling toggling between the locking andreleasing of the cartridge holders with a simpler mechanism, with theeffect of achieving an apparatus having fewer components and lower cost.

Further, the slide cams of the transport mechanism and the stopper platethat fixes the player to the chassis are caused to engage, so that thedriving power for effecting toggling between the floating state and thefixed state of the player relative to the chassis can be obtainedwithout a dedicated driving mechanism from the slide cams, which aredriven by the transport mechanism, with the effect of achieving anapparatus having fewer components and lower cost.

Further, the stopper plates that engage with the slide cams that driveand control the mechanism for transporting the cartridges is in linkagewith the slide cam drive enabling the player to be moved against theresilience of the vibration damping materials by which is is flexiblyheld, so that when interference occurs with the cartridge beinghorizontally transported to the player in the height direction of theplayer, the player will move in a direction so as to avoid interference,achieving an apparatus whose height dimension is greatly reducedrendering it more compact.

Further, the player is provided with a rotatable stopper and a springthat applies force to the stopper, in a configuration such that thestopper clamps the cartridge automatically, so that the cartridge isclamped to the player by the cartridge holder descending from theplayer, with the effect eliminating the need for a dedicated clampingdrive mechanism and achieving an apparatus having fewer components andlower cost.

Further, when a new cartridge is loaded into a cartridge holder, thecartridge being played can be transported to the standby position andthe TOC of the newly inserted cartridge is displayed on the displaypanel without interrupting the reproduction of its audio signal, withthe effect of achieving an apparatus that is more convenient to use.

Further, when any cartridge is ejected, a text message, such as "NODISC" is displayed on the display panel for the corresponding cartridgeholder, allowing the user to realize from the text message on thedisplay panel that no cartridge is loaded in the corresponding cartridgeholder, with the effect of achieving an apparatus that is moreconvenient to use.

Further, when a new cartridge is loaded, a text message, such as "NEWDISC" is displayed on the display panel for the corresponding cartridgeholder, allowing the user to realize from the text message on thedisplay panel that a new cartridge has loaded in the correspondingcartridge holder, with the effect of achieving an apparatus that is moreconvenient to use.

Further, in the case of cartridges that have been loaded into thecartridge holder and transported to the player, but whose audio signalhas not been reproduced, the corresponding indicator lamp blinks on andoff, allowing the user to realize from the blinking of the indicatorlamp that the cartridge in that cartridge holder has not yet beenplayed, so that when it is intended to select a new cartridge to beplayed next, selection of the new cartridge is facilitated, with theeffect of achieving an apparatus that is more convenient to use.

Further, in the disc-chucking apparatus, means of controlling attractiveforce by means of the chucking magnet has been provided so that theforce holding the disc to the turntable can be reduced during withdrawalof the disc only, without reducing holding force during recording andreproducing, and there is no need to strengthen the spring used to flipup the cartridge holder and the holder can be loaded into the apparatuswith light force, with the effect of improving the operational feel.

Further, axial force is applied to the rotating spindle supporting theturntable by means of a resilient body to that vibration of the base isattenuated by the resilient body and vibration of the turntable issuppressed, with the effect of achieving a highly reliable apparatushaving less signal reading error.

Further, the magnetic material permeable to magnetic flux is providedbetween the magnet used in the motor and the clamping plate, so that themagnetic flux of the magnet used in the motor penetrates the magneticmaterial to attract the clamping plate, with the effect of eliminatingthe need for a chucking magnet and reducing the number of components.

Further, the turntable is formed of a magnetic material and a magnetizedsurface capable of being used as the magnet of a motor is applied, thedisc clamping plate is attracted to the magnetized turntable in aposition facing the magnetized surface, and the turntable isrotationally driven by a oppositely placed excitation coil, with theeffect of eliminating the need for a chucking magnet or a magnet for themotor and reducing the number of components.

Further, the vibration-damping rubber pads and compressed springs aredisposed between the base and the chassis below the spindle for thepurpose of suppressing vibration of the chassis so that vibration of thebase is attenuated by the vibration-damping rubber pads and compressedsprings and vibration of the turntable suppressed, with the effect ofachieving a highly reliable apparatus having less signal reading error.

Further, the excitation coil is disposed oppositely to the magnetizedturntable so that by energizing the excitation coil the turntablefloats, with the effect of making it more difficult for vibration of thebase to be transmitted to the turntable and achieving a highly reliableapparatus having less signal reading error.

Further, the excitation coil is disposed oppositely to the magnetizedturntable and the energizing of the excitation coil is linked to themovement of the cartridge transport mechanism, so that it is possible tooverlap the height of the cartridge being moved horizontally by thecartridge transport mechanism and the height of the turntable, with theeffect of achieving a thinner apparatus.

Further, the excitation coil is disposed oppositely to the magnetizedturntable and a drive circuit for driving a focus actuator and adetector for detecting the focusing error of an optical lens are linkedto control energization of the excitation coil, so that the opticalpickup can read or write signals even when the height of the disc variesbeyond the range of motion of the focus actuator, with the effect ofincreasing the tolerance with which the turntable must be assembled andat the same time achieving a highly reliable apparatus having lesssignal reading error.

Further, the magnet for the motor that rotationally drives the turntableand a disc attracting and holding magnet for attracting and holding theclamping plate provided on the disc are mounted oppositely on the rearsurface with an interposed magnetic material permeable to the magneticflux of the motor magnet, and there is formed on said magnetic materialby outsert molding a centering portion and flange for positioning, sothat magnetic material to prevent demagnetization of the magnet can beconfigured cheaply by press molding or the like, with the effect offorming a flange and centering portion of high accuracy.

Further, the screw threads are formed on the disc clamping magnet thatattracts and holds the disc clamping plate and on the turntable allowingthe height of the disc clamping magnet relative to the turntable to beadjusted, so that the gap between the clamping plate and the discclamping magnet can be reduced by adjusting the height of the discclamping magnet relative to the turntable, increasing the magnetic fluxdensity in the gap and increasing the clamping force, with the effect ofallowing the use of ferrite or other low-cost magnets.

Further, a plurality of suspension means, each consisting of acombination of suspension magnet and suspension coil are installed atvarious angles and the voltage applied to each suspension coil is variedin response to changes in the attitude of the apparatus, so that a forceresponsive to the angle can be generated to act against gravity, whenthe disc surface is installed horizontally and vertically with respectto the earth's surface, or is installed at some other angle, with theeffect of simplifying the configuration of the suspension means relatingand improving ease of assembly.

Further, the disc release coil is mounted on the holder of the magneticrecording head mounted on the chassis, so that the disc release coilholds the holder of the magnetic recording head, with the effect ofeliminating the need for a support member for the disc release coil andachieving an apparatus having fewer components and lower cost.

Further, the disc release magnet is mounted on the holder of themagnetic recording head mounted on the chassis so as to be slidable withrespect to the recording surface, so that the disc release magnet isbrought close to the clamping plate by means of the driving power thatmoved the magnetic recording head toward the outward edge of the disc,with the effect of simplifying the drive means for the disc releasemagnet.

Further, the turntable is provided with the chucking magnet, thetransfer member is provided with the coil, and the holder on which ismounted a recording head is mounted rotatably on the chassis, by meansof the driving means for driving the recording head along the recordingsurface, so that the transfer member is rotated in linkage and thechucking release magnet is brought close to the turntable by means ofthe driving power that moved the magnetic recording head toward theoutward edge of the cartridge, with the effect of simplifying the drivemeans for the chucking magnet.

Further, in the position-detecting apparatus, detection of the positionof moving members is effected without contact using optical detectionelements or magnetic detection elements, so that highly reliableposition detection can be performed without wear to the terminals.Further a plurality of positions can be detected with a single row ofdetection elements.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic disc changing apparatus, capable ofselectively transporting a cartridge accommodating a disc-typeinformation recording and reproducing medium from a standby position toselectively load a plurality of such cartridges to a recording andreproducing position above a disc player differing in vertical andhorizontal position from said standby position, or selectivelytransporting the cartridge from said recording and reproducing positionto said standby position, comprising:a chassis; a plurality of cartridgeholders for holding each of said cartridges; a standby-holding mechanismfor holding said plurality of cartridge holders in said standby positionso as to arrange said plurality of cartridge holders vertically, saidstandby-holding mechanism being immovably fixed to said chassis; atransport-holding mechanism for selectively engaging with one of saidcartridge holders; a transfer mechanism for moving saidtransport-holding mechanism in a horizontal direction; an elevatormechanism for moving said transport-holding mechanism in a verticaldirection between a first position corresponding to the top cartridgeholder of the vertically arranged cartridge holders and a secondposition corresponding to the bottom cartridge holder of the verticallyarranged cartridge holders; and a plurality of cartridge insertion portscorresponding respectively to said plurality of cartridge holders andbeing exposed to an outside of said apparatus, said cartridges beingloaded into said plurality of cartridge holders by inserting saidcartridges respectively into said plurality of cartridge insertion portsfrom the outside of said apparatus.
 2. The automatic disc-changingapparatus of claim 1,wherein said elevator mechanism includes: a firstmotor; a first slide cain for moving horizontally between said standbyposition and said recording and reproducing position; a firstmotion-transmitting mechanism for causing said first slide cam to movehorizontally due to rotational driving power of said first motor; and anelevating base for being engaged with said first slide cam and movingvertically in connection with said horizontal movement of said firstslide cam.
 3. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 2, whereina pair of said first slide cams is arranged in parallel with each otherand one of said pair of first slide cams is arranged on either side ofthe player;each of said first slide cams including a vertical planeportion and a flange portion projecting perpendicularly from saidvertical plan portion, said flange portions having elongated slots inthe direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of said firstslide cams; said first motion-transmitting mechanism including a loadinglever that receives said rotational driving power from said first motorand rotates a vertical shaft; and said apparatus further comprisingengaging pins implanted at either end of said loading lever engaging,respectively, with said elongated slots in said flange portions.
 4. Theautomatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:aclamping lever for clamping said cartridge to said player; and a secondslide cam for moving horizontally in a direction perpendicular to thedirection of motion of said transfer mechanism in response to therotation of said loading lever.
 5. The automatic disc-changing apparatusof claim 4, wherein said second slide cam has a second cam hole, saidsecond cam hole having a horizontal portion which is narrow at width andelongated horizontally and a circular portion which has a diametergreater than the width of said horizontal portion;the automaticdisc-changing apparatus further comprising: support pins provided onsaid player for supporting said player; resilient vibration-dampeningmembers which resiliently hold said support pins with respect to saidchassis; and springs from which said support pins are suspended to saidchassis; and changing a state of said player between a fixed state inwhich said support pins are in said horizontal portion of said secondslide cam and a floating state in which said support pins are in saidcircular portion of said second slide cam, by the motion of said secondslide cam.
 6. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 5,whereinsaid second slide cam is provided with a freely rotating hook forsecuring one of said supporting pins when said player is in said fixedstate, and for separating from said one of said supporting pins whensaid player is in said floating state.
 7. The automatic disc-changingapparatus of claim 5, further comprising a floating arm capable ofengaging with said second slide cam,wherein said floating arm rotates inconnection with movement of said first motion-transmitting mechanism andsaid second slide cam moves horizontally in connection with the rotationof said floating arm.
 8. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim7, wherein said standby-holding mechanism and said cartridge holders areso configured to position surfaces used for affixing labels on saidcartridges loaded in said standby position in virtually the same planeas a front panel surface of the apparatus.
 9. The automaticdisc-changing apparatus of claim 3, wherein said vertical plane portionincludes a plurality of cam holes for engaging with pins on saidelevating base,said pair of first slide cams being moved in oppositedirections to each other, simultaneously, by rotation of said loadinglever, the rotation of said loading lever providing either an ascensionor descension of the elevating base as the engaging pins of the loadinglever are engaged with said flange portions, and the pins of theelevating base are engaged with said plurality of cam holes.
 10. Theautomatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:aplurality of protruding members mounted on said first slide cams, aplurality of switches for detecting vertical position of the elevatingbase by being in contact with said protruding members; and a controllerfor controlling operation of said player according to signals receivedfrom said switches.
 11. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim2, wherein said transfer mechanism includes:a second motor; a loadinggear supported so as to rotate freely on said elevating base; a secondmotion-transmitting mechanism for causing said loading gear to rotate byrotational driving power of said second motor; a transporter mountedslidably on said elevating base and holding said transport-holdingmechanism; and engaging pins implanted in said loading gear for engagingwith cam holes formed in said transporter and being able to establishbutt contact through said cam holes with said transport-holdingmechanism, for rotating said loading gear and thereby effecting the holdaction and release action of said cartridge holder as well as thehorizontal movement of said transporter.
 12. The automatic disc-changingapparatus of claim 11,wherein said second motion-transmitting mechanismincludes a cylindrical gear having a vertical axis of rotation and beingengaged with said loading gear; and an effective circumference of saidcylindrical gear is greater than a range of vertical motion of saidelevating base.
 13. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 12,further comprising:a rack meshing with said cylindrical gear and movinghorizontally as a result of the rotation of said cylindrical gear; afilm pattern provided on said rack; an optical switch fixed in aprescribed position opposite to said film pattern; and a circuit forsensing the angle of rotation of said loading gear on the basis ofresults detected by said optical switch.
 14. The automatic disc-changingapparatus of claim 11,wherein the configuration of said cam hole of saidtransporter engaged by said engaging pin of said loading gear isY-shaped; and said Y-shaped cam hole further including a linear portionextending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of horizontalmovement of said transporter and two arcuate portions separating intotwo branches from one end of said linear portion.
 15. The automaticdisc-changing apparatus of claim 14, wherein when the loading gearrotates, said engaging pin of the loading gear moves through said linearportion and two arcuate portions of the Y-shaped cam hole to providesaid horizontal movement of the transporter.
 16. The automaticdisc-changing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the movement of saidengaging pin of the loading gear within said linear portion of theY-shaped cam hole moves said transporter horizontally.
 17. The automaticdisc-changing apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of said cartridgeholders includes an engagement arm which engages with saidstandby-holding mechanism,said engagement arm having an engagement holewhich is engaged by one of said engaging pins of said transport-holdingmechanism.
 18. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 11,wherein said transport-holding mechanism includes:a pair of chuckingarms connected by a spring member and being freely movable horizontally,each chucking arm having a plurality of contact pins for pressingagainst the cartridge holder; a plurality of slot portions formed onsaid chucking arms for receiving a plurality of engaging pins mounted onsaid transporter of the transfer mechanism; and a lever member beingrotatable and connecting said pair of chucking arms and saidtransporter.
 19. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 2,further comprising:a plate for pressing on said player in connectionwith the movement of said first slide cam.
 20. The automaticdisc-changing apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:acartridge-clamping stopper mounted rotatably on a side surface of saidplayer; and a clamping cam mechanism which imparts rotary motion to saidclamping stopper, so that when said cartridge holder is placed on saidplayer, said cartridge holder is clamped to said player by said clampingstopper.
 21. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1,whereintapers are formed at a top and a bottom portion of the rear of each ofsaid cartridge holders.
 22. The automatic disc-changing apparatus ofclaim 1,wherein each of said cartridge holders includes an eject leverfor ejecting said cartridges loaded in said standby position.
 23. Theautomatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1,wherein said elevatormechanism comprises: an elevator motor; a pantograph mechanism; a cammechanism which activates said pantograph mechanism in response torotary motion of said elevator motor.
 24. The automatic disc-changingapparatus of claim 23,wherein said transfer mechanism comprises: atransfer motor; a loading gear supported so as to rotate freely on anelevator base; a fourth motion-transmitting mechanism which causes saidloading gear to rotate by means of rotary driving power of said transfermotor; and a transporter which is slidably mounted on said elevator baseand holds said transport holding mechanism; and engaging pins implantedin said loading gear are engaged with a first cam hole formed in saidtransporter and at the same time a cam hole formed in said transportholding mechanism, thereby causing said loading gear to rotate andthereby, by means of said transport holding mechanism, effecting holdaction and release action of said cartridge holder as well as horizontalmotion of said transporter.
 25. The automatic disc-changing apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein said transporter has a second cam hole elongated inthe direction of horizontal motion of said transporter;said second camhole extends in the direction of horizontal motion of said transporter,and having two linear portions aligned on an identical line and acurvilinear portion connecting said two linear portions; said transportholding mechanism comprises a chucking base held so as to be capable ofsliding motion horizontally with respect to said transporter; and achucking arm rotatably supported on said chucking base so as to hold andrelease said cartridge holder; an engaging pin provided on said chuckingarm is engaged with said second cam hole of said transporter; saidchucking base has a third cam hole which is engaged with an engaging pinimplanted in said loading gear; and hold and release actions of saidcartridge holder by said chucking arm are effected in linkage with therotation of said loading gear.
 26. The automatic disc-changing apparatusof claim 25,wherein said cartridge holder comprises a positioning springwhich engages with a groove formed in said cartridge; and said chuckingarm comprises a pressing portion which presses against said positioningspring.
 27. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising:a duplicate insertion prevention plate, which is rotatablearound a horizontal shaft at the top of each of said insertion ports,for being approximately horizontal and in butt contact with an uppersurface of a respective said cartridge holder when said cartridge holderis loaded into said standby-holding mechanism, and for beingapproximately vertical when said cartridge holder is separated by saidtransfer mechanism from said standby-holding mechanism; and a regulatingmember for regulating the range of motion of said duplicate insertionprevention plate by establishing butt contact with said duplicateinsertion prevention plate.
 28. The automatic disc-changing apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising:a display for displaying informationrecorded on said disc-type information recording medium; audio signalstorage circuitry for storing audio signal information on said disc-typeinformation recording medium being reproduced; and a control circuitcontrolling said display, said audio signal storage circuitry, saidtransfer mechanism and said elevator mechanism, said control circuitcontrolling said transfer and elevator mechanisms to temporarily returnthe cartridge currently being reproduced to said standby position, whena new cartridge is loaded into another said cartridge holder forreproduction, said control circuit controlling said audio signal storagecircuitry to continuously reproduce the audio signal information of saidcartridge, said control circuit controlling said transfer and elevatormechanism to transport said new cartridge to the recording andreproducing position, and read and display the information recorded onsaid disc-type information recording medium of said new cartridge, andthen returning said new cartridge to said standby position, said controlcircuit controlling said transfer and elevator mechanisms to return andcontinuously reproduce said cartridge first being reproduced in therecording and reproducing position.
 29. The automatic disc-changingapparatus of claim 28,wherein when there is no cartridge loaded in saidcartridge holder, said control circuit displays on said display amessage indicating that no cartridge is loaded in said cartridge holder.30. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 28, wherein from thetime a cartridge is newly loaded into said cartridge holder up until thetime the information of said newly loaded cartridge is read anddisplayed, said control circuit displays on said display a messageindicating that one of said cartridges is newly loaded.
 31. Theautomatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 28,further comprisingindicator lamps corresponding to said cartridge holders, wherein saidindicator lamp blinks from the time said control circuit selectsreproduction of any one of said cartridges up until the time saidselected cartridge is placed in the recording and reproducing position.32. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidstandby-holding mechanism includes:a holder having a plurality ofdetecting rods mounted on a chassis, said detecting rods being movablein a direction perpendicular to said horizontal direction of saidtransfer mechanism in response to loading or unloading of saidcartridges; and a plurality of cartridge detecting switches forindicating the loading or unloading of said cartridges as said pluralityof cartridge detecting switches achieve butt contact with correspondingsaid plurality of detecting rods.
 33. The automatic disc-changingapparatus of claim 1, wherein said elevator mechanism includes:a pair offirst slide cams, each having a plurality of cam holes and being movablehorizontally; a loading lever; and an elevating base for movingvertically said cartridges, wherein said pair of first slide cams ismoved horizontally by rotation of said loading lever and said elevatingbase is moved vertically by said horizontal movement of said first cams.34. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 33, wherein saidfirst slide cams are moved in opposite directions to each other,simultaneously, by the rotation of said loading lever to provide saidvertical movement of said elevating base.
 35. The automaticdisc-changing apparatus of claim 34, wherein said elevating baseincludes a plurality of engaging pins for engaging with said pluralityof cam holes of said first slide cams, and each of said first slide camsfurther includes a flange portion for engaging with one of lever pinsmounted on said loading lever,whereby the rotation of said loading leverin one direction provides either ascension or descension of saidelevating base due to the engagement of said lever pins with said flangeportions, and the engagement of said engaging pins with said pluralityof cam holes.
 36. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 35,further comprising:a plurality of protruding members mounted on saidfirst slide cams, a plurality of switches for detecting verticalposition of the elevating base by being in contact with said protrudingmembers; and a controller for controlling operation of said playeraccording to signals received from said switches.
 37. The automaticdisc-changing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transport-holdingmechanism includes:a pair of chucking arms connected by a spring memberand being freely movable horizontally, each chucking arm having aplurality of contact pins for pressing against and holding the cartridgeholder; a plurality of slot portions formed on said chucking arms forreceiving a plurality of engaging pins mounted on a transporter of thetransfer mechanism, said transporter being movable horizontally totransport said cartridge holder of the transport-holding mechanism; anda lever member being rotatable and connecting said pair of chucking armsand said transporter.
 38. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim1, wherein said transfer mechanism includes:a loading gear beingrotatable and having engaging pins; and a transporter for movinghorizontally the cartridge holder of said transport-holding mechanismand having a Y-shaped cam hole for engaging with said engaging pin ofthe loading gear, said Y-shaped cam hole having a linear portionextending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of thehorizontal movement of said transporter and two arcuate portionsextending from said linear portion, wherein when the loading gearrotates, said engaging pin of the loading gear moves through said linearportion and two arcuate portions of the Y-shaped cam hole, the movementof said engaging pin of the loading gear within said linear portion ofthe Y-shaped cam hole moving the transporter horizontally.
 39. Theautomatic disc-charging apparatus of claim 38, further comprising:a rackmeshing with a cylindrical gear and moving horizontally as thecylindrical gear rotates; a film pattern provided on said rack; anoptical switch fixed in a prescribed position opposite to said filmpattern; and a circuit for sensing the angle of rotation of said loadinggear from detection by said optical switch.
 40. A system for selectivelytransporting a cartridge accommodating a disc-type information recordingand reproducing medium from a standby position to selectively load aplurality of such cartridges to a recording and reproducing positionabove disc player means, or selectively transporting the cartridge fromsaid recording and reproducing position to said standby position,comprising:a plurality of cartridge holding means for holding each ofsaid cartridges so as to arrange the cartridges vertically;transport-holding means for selectively engaging with one of saidcartridge holding means to be transported; transfer means for movinghorizontally said transport-holding means; elevator means for movingvertically said transport-holding means between a first positioncorresponding to the top cartridge of the vertically arranged cartridgesand a second position corresponding to the bottom cartridge of thevertically arranged cartridges; and a plurality of cartridge insertionport means corresponding respectively to said plurality of cartridgeholding means and being exposed to an outside of said system, saidcartridges being loaded into said plurality of cartridge holding meansby inserting said cartridges respectively into said plurality ofcartridge insertion port means from the outside of said system.
 41. Thesystem for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 40, furthercomprising:a plurality of contact means mounted on a chassis for beingmovable in a direction perpendicular to said horizontal movement of saidtransfer means according to loading or unloading of said cartridges; anda plurality of cartridge detection means for indicating the loading orunloading of said cartridges when said plurality of contact meansachieve butt contact with corresponding said plurality of cartridgedetection means.
 42. The system for selectively transporting a cartridgeof claim 40, wherein said elevator means includes:a pair of firstsliding means, each having a plurality of sliding holes and beingmovable horizontally; loading lever means for providing rotationalmovement; and elevating base means for moving vertically saidcartridges, wherein said pair of first sliding means is movedhorizontally by the rotational movement of the loading lever means andsaid elevating base means is moved vertically by said horizontalmovement of said first sliding means.
 43. The system for selectivelytransporting a cartridge of claim 42, wherein said first sliding meansare moved in opposite directions to each other, simultaneously, by therotational movement of the loading lever means to provide said verticalmovement of said elevating base means.
 44. The system for selectivelytransporting a cartridge of claim 43, wherein said elevating base meansincludes a plurality of engagement pins for engaging with said pluralityof sliding holes, and each of said first sliding means further includesa flange portion for engaging with one of lever pins mounted on saidloading lever means,whereby the direction of the rotational movement ofsaid loading lever means determines either an ascension or descension ofthe elevating base means due to the engagement of said lever pins withsaid flange portions, and the engagement of said engagement pins withsaid plurality of sliding holes.
 45. The system for selectivelytransporting a cartridge of claim 42, further comprising:a plurality ofprotruding means mounted on said first slide means, a plurality ofswitch means for detecting the vertical position of the elevating basemeans by being in contact with said protruding means; and control meansfor controlling operation of said player means according to signalsreceived from said switch means.
 46. The system for selectivelytransporting a cartridge of claim 42, further comprising:clampingloading lever means for clamping said cartridge to said player means;and second sliding means for moving horizontally in a directionperpendicular to the direction of motion of said transfer means inresponse to the rotational movement of said loading lever means.
 47. Thesystem for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 46, whereinsaid second sliding means includes a cam hole having a horizontalportion which is narrow in width and elongated horizontally, and acircular portion which has a diameter greater than the width of saidhorizontal portion.
 48. The system for selectively transporting acartridge of claim 47, further comprising:supporting pins provided onsaid player means for supporting said player means; resilientvibration-damping means for resiliently holding said support pins withrespect to chassis means; and spring means from which said support pinsare suspended to said chassis means, wherein a state of said playermeans is changed between a fixed state of having said support pins insaid horizontal portion of said second sliding means, and a floatingstate of having said support pins in said circular portion of saidsecond sliding means, by the horizontal movement of said second slidingmeans.
 49. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim48, further comprising:freely rotating hook means for securing saidsupport pins when said player means is in said fixed state, and forseparating from said supporting pins when said player means is in saidfloating state; and floating arm means for engaging with said secondsliding means and rotating in connection with the horizontal movement ofsaid first sliding means, said second sliding means moving horizontallyin connection with the rotation of said floating arm means.
 50. Thesystem for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 40, whereinsaid transfer means includes:loading gear means being rotatable andhaving an engaging pin; and transporter means for moving horizontallythe cartridge holding means and having slot means, said engaging pin ofthe loading gear means engaging with said slot means and being capableof establishing butt contact with said transport-holding means throughsaid slot means, so as control hold and release action of said cartridgeholding means as well as the horizontal movement of said transportermeans.
 51. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim50, wherein the configuration of said slot means of the transportermeans is Y-shaped, said Y-shaped slot means having a linear portionextending in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal movement ofsaid transporter means and two arcuate portions extending from saidlinear portion.
 52. The system for selectively transporting a cartridgeof claim 51, wherein when the loading gear means rotates, said engagingpin of the loading gear means moves through said linear portion and twoarcuate portions of the Y-shaped slot means, the movement of saidengaging pin of the loading gear means within said linear portion of theY-shaped slot means moving the transporter means horizontally.
 53. Thesystem for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 50, furthercomprising:rack means for meshing with cylindrical gear means and movinghorizontally as the cylindrical gear means rotates; film means providedon said rack for having a pattern thereon; optical switch means forbeing fixed in a prescribed position opposite to said film means; andsensing means for sensing the angle of rotation of said loading gearmeans from detection by said optical switch means.
 54. The system forselectively transporting a cartridge of claim 40, wherein saidtransport-holding means includes:a pair of arm means connected by aspring member and being freely movable horizontally, each arm meanshaving a plurality of contact pins for pressing against and holding saidcartridge holding means; a plurality of slot means formed on said armmeans for receiving a plurality of engaging pins mounted on saidtransfer means, said transfer means having transporter means beingmovable horizontally to transport said cartridge holding means of thetransport-holding means; and a lever member being rotatable andconnecting said pair of arm means and said transporter means.
 55. Thesystem for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 40, furthercomprising:duplicate insertion prevention plate means, which isrotatable around a horizontal shaft at the top of each of said insertionport means, for being approximately horizontal and in butt contact withan upper surface of said cartridge holding means when said cartridgeholding means is loaded, and for being approximately vertical when saidcartridge holding means is moved by said transfer means; and regulatingmeans for regulating the range of motion of said duplicate insertionprevention plate means by establishing butt contact with said duplicateinsertion prevention plate means.
 56. The system for selectivelytransporting a cartridge of claim 40, further comprising:indicator meanscorresponding to each of said cartridge holding means for indicating thestatus of said cartridges; display means for displaying informationrecorded on said disc-type information recording medium; audio signalstorage circuitry means for storing audio signal information on saiddisc-type information recording medium being reproduced; and controlmeans for controlling said display means, said audio signal storagecircuitry means, and said cartridge holding means.